Defining Assessment

One of the many questions that teachers ask is what is assessment? Of course, if you do literature review, you will get 1001 definitions coming from different perspectives. Likewise, you get so many literature defining the concept and differentiating it from evaluation and even measurement.

Generally, various authors define assessment as the process that involves both gathering information and using that information as a means to improve teaching, student learning, student services, and administrative services. Authors also say that assessment includes making expectations explicit and public, and setting appropriate criteria and high standards.

As a process, it focuses on systematically gathering, analyzing, and interpreting evidence to determine how well performance matches those expectations and standards. Likewise, it enables one to use the resulting information to document, explain, and enhance performance.

Assessment is very helpful in creating a shared academic culture dedicated to continually improving the quality of education at all levels.

Thus, it is obvious that assessment is not a single set of actions, BUT an on-going cyclical and dynamic process permeating any institution of learning.