Standard Based Assessment
Standard based assessment is one of the new trends of modern education where students’ performance is assessed based on the preset standards rather than assessing student performance with that of other students. Standard based assessment is part of the standard based assessment movement which advocates for the establishment and adoption of this form of assessment. The movement also advocates for linking assessment with the curriculum and it also incorporates other forms of assessment.
The standard based assessment pushes for a standard based education where each student’s performance is constantly monitored and evaluated to come up with various ways of improving the entire students’ performance as a whole in accordance with the set standards. This assessment method uses standardized tests which the students take. The reason for it is to identify the weaknesses of the students as well as their strengths and focus on minimizing and possibly overcoming the weak points and maintain as well as improve their strong points. After taking the standardized tests, there is a standardized evaluation that is then recorded in a standards-based report card. This system creates a mechanism for monitoring; evaluating and ensuring continuous improvement is achieved as time goes by. This gives rise to a standard based education system.
Standard based assessment will work well where the initial standards set are higher but achievable by every student and then the curriculum should be aligned with these newly established standards that should be uniform across board. Every student should then know what is expected of them and what they have to do to meet the required standards. This way all students will be motivated to work hard together with the help of teacher so as to meet and exceed the required standards.
The advantage of this system is invaluable because it’s a win-win situation to both the students and the faculty. Why is this so? With this system, both the students and the teachers know exactly what is expected of them and how they will achieve the set standards. These standards act as objectives that have to be met at the lapse of a certain amount of time. It heavily relies on future prospects based on past results to come up with measures that will help with the improvement of student performance and measuring the effectiveness of objectives.
There are a number of advantages of assessment according to the Education Commission of States. Assessment leads to improved learning by engaging students in activities that motivate them. Assessment focuses on objective and goals that are geared towards improvement. Through assessment, students are tasked with real life activities instead of artificial ones. It promotes the development of staff as well as the students. Assessment promotes accountability both on the part of students and faculty. Assessment aides in curriculum reform by addressing the necessary issues and doing away with non-important matters (Education Commission of the States, 2002, p. 8).
Standard based assessment and indeed standard based education ensures that students are not graded, ranked and regarded some as failures and some as victors as many with regard to the bell curve where there must be students and the top and at the bottom. Standard based assessment ensures that all students are at par above the required standards. Motivation is achieved through this form of assessment across the board. This system is used as a tool to measure the effectiveness of the objectives. This ultimately ensures that no child is left behind.
REFERENCES
Education Commission of the States (2002). No Child Left Behind: A guide to Standard-Based
Assessment. NCLB. Retrieved from http://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/35/50/3550.pdf
