Types of Student Assessment
Information about the tests and assessment used by FCPS
Overview
Student assessments are essential for evaluating learning and educational progress. They can be categorized into several types, each serving a different purpose. Here are the main types of student assessments:
- Formative assessments are designed to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback. Examples: Quizzes, classroom discussions, homework assignments, and observational assessments.
- Summative assessments evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional period. Examples: End-of-term exams, standardized tests, final projects, and papers.
- Diagnostic assessments identify students' existing knowledge, skills, and abilities before instruction begins. Examples: Pre-tests, diagnostic tests in reading and math.
- Benchmark (Interim) assessments measures student progress toward meeting standards at various points throughout the school year. Examples: Quarterly assessments, mid-term exams, MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) tests.
- Norm-Referenced Assessments compare a student's performance to a norm group (a representative sample of peers). Examples: SAT, ACT, IQ tests.
Each type of assessment provides valuable information that can be used to support and enhance student learning and instructional practices.
Student Assessments
The collection of student assessments at FCPS provides essential data to evaluate student learning, inform instruction, and guide educational policy decisions.
