Authentic Assessment

Authentic Assessment

1. EQUITABLE

   • allows for multiple paths to demonstration of competency/knowledge
   • can help to avoid biases that arise in traditional, forced-choice assessments
   • when creating writing prompts and assessing student writing, teachers should be aware of cultural issues that may impact assessment
   • can help ELLs receive appropriate instruction by assessing their skills and abilities
   • authentic assessment may reveal student strengths that traditional assessments miss

2. INFORMATIVE

   • drives curriculum
   • provides data for lesson/ curriculum planning
   • gives direct evidence
   • leads to adjustments in instruction
   • gives feedback about instructional effectiveness

3. MEANINGFUL

   • demonstrates real-world skills and competencies
     • addresses the "big WHY?"
       • such as a school's mission to develop productive citizens
   • addresses worthy problems and questions
   • shows that students can use their knowledge in authentic contexts
   • direct demonstration of relevant skills

4. DISTINCT

   • differs from traditional assessment
     • traditional
       • "forced choice"
       • driven by curriculum
       • forced choice
       • information recall
       • selected answer, multiple choice, true/false
       • does not show application
       • teacher-structured
     • authentic
       • student - structured
       • task or performance
       • product or performance

5. INTEGRATIVE

   • integrates teaching, learning, and assessing
   • can be both formative or summative
   • captures the construction of meaning
   • act as vehicles for learning
   • can be paired with traditional forms of assessment
   • can show both the process and result of learning

6. APPLICABLE

   • can be applied to a wide range of subject areas, skills, and competencies
   • can be planned or take the form of informal observations
   • standards-based
     • shows an authentic result of what it looks like when students meet the standards
   • often graded with rubrics

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