Definition

Assessment is the process of identifying, gathering and interpreting information about students' learning. The central purpose of assessment is to provide information on student achievement and progress and set the direction for ongoing teaching and learning.

“Schools are to undertake assessment to collect information about students’ learning. This will occur through both formal and informal activities.

Assessment of student learning will be undertaken for all learners, including students with disabilities:

• enrolled in regular classes;
• enrolled in special classes or in special schools;
• accessing life skills outcomes and content in Years
• 7-10 or following life skills patterns of study in Years11-12.”
  

Policy Standards for Curriculum Planning and Programming, Assessing and Reporting to Parents K-12

Purposes of assessment

Teachers need to be clear about what they are assessing and why.

Assessment provides information for those involved in the teaching and learning process to compare what is known and can be demonstrated against standards.

Assessment takes many forms in schools and classrooms:

• Formal and informal observation and discussion with students
• Formal assessment tasks
• Formative monitoring and adjustment of teaching
• Summative assessment at key points
• Comparing evidence of achievement with other students
• Comparing evidence of achievement against syllabus standards.