Assessment Methods

Selected Responses

Selected response methods require students to choose from given responses. Selected responses include methods like true/false, multiple choice, matching, keyed surveys, and, to a certain extent, fill-in-the-blank.

Observable Responses

The responses expected in these assessments are directly observable responses. As the name suggests, these assessment methods depend on direct observations of students at work and are especially well suited when assessing the ability of the student to correctly use equipment or complete hands-on tasks. The easiest method of assessing observable responses is probably a checklist.

Constructed Responses

Constructed or free-response assessment models require students to develop their own responses. The responses include structured interviews, informal interviews, essays, performance tasks, short hands-on tasks, and open-ended science investigation tasks.

Collections of Responses

These assessment models require students to have several responses or products. All stakeholders should view the work of students, as well as single test scores, as part of their assessment system. Single test scores are faster to view and seemingly easier to understand, but they cannot provide the complete picture that a spectrum of student work can offer. These assessments include portfolios, logbooks or journals, and reflections on learning.

Scoring Methods

There are many types of scoring methods. The main concerns with scoring methods are ones of reliability, efficiency, and ability to produce a meaningful score. Objective scoring involves a preset answer or answers. Answers are either right or wrong. Subjective scoring may be done in a purely subjective manner or use various kinds of scoring guides.

Objective scoring is used with a variety of testing methods such as matching, multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blank, and checklists. Selected-response methods depend on making a key that shows the correct responses. A score is given for each right answer. The method is quick, reliable, and easy. This type of assessment is favored when large groups of students are to be assessed.

Subjective scoring is used on short, open-ended questions or on open-ended, complex performance tasks, such as debates, reports, presentations, and multimedia work. Purely subjective scoring is to be avoided because the experiences of the scorer can influence the qualities examined in a student work. Since scorers have different experiences, the same student work may receive different scores. Holistic Scoring Methods have been developed to assist the scorer in providing consistency in how open-ended and/or performance tasks are scored.