Sto. Tomas, Lea Lynn R.

BEED III-2

Output 1.1

Glossary of Assessment Terms

Achievement Test

 A standardized test designed to efficiently measure the amount of knowledge and/or

skill a person has acquired, usually as a result of classroom instruction. Such testing
produces a statistical profile used as a measurement to evaluate student learning in
comparison with a standard or norm.
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm]

Affective

 Outcomes of education involving feelings more than understanding; likes, pleasures

ideals, dislikes annoyances, values.
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm]

Alternative Assessment

 Many educators prefer the description "assessment alternatives" to describe

alternatives to traditional, standardized, norm- or criterion-referenced traditional paper
and pencil testing. An alternative assessment might require students to answer an open-
ended question, work out a solution to a problem, perform a demonstration of a skill, or
in some way produce work rather than select an answer from choices on a sheet of
paper. Portfolios and instructor observation of students are also alternative forms of
assessment. http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm]

Assessment

 The evaluation or estimation of the nature, quality, or ability of someone or something.

(Oxford languages)
 Educational assessment educational evaluation is the systematic process of
documenting and using empirical data on the knowledge, skill, attitudes, and beliefs to
refine programs and improve student learning. (Wikipedia)
Assessment Task
 An illustrative task or performance opportunity that closely targets defined instructional
aims, allowing students to demonstrate their progress and capabilities.
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm]

Competency Test

 A test intended to establish that a student has met established minimum standards of
skills and knowledge and is thus eligible for promotion, graduation, certification, or
other official acknowledgment of achievement.
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm]

Concept

 An abstract, general notion -- a heading that characterizes a set of behaviours and

beliefs. http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm]

Curriculum Alignment

 The degree to which a curriculum's scope and sequence matches a testing program's
evaluation measures, thus ensuring that teachers will use successful completion of the
test as a goal of classroom instruction.
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm]

Curriculum-embedded or Learning-embedded Assessment

 Assessment that occurs simultaneously with learning such as projects, portfolios and
"exhibitions." Occurs in the classroom setting, and, if properly designed, students should
not be able to tell whether they are being taught or assessed. Tasks or tests are
developed from the curriculum or instructional materials.
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm]

Cut Score
  Score used to determine the minimum performance level needed to pass a competency
test. (See Descriptor for another type of determiner.)
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm]
Dimension
 Aspects or categories in which performance in a domain or subject area will be judged.
Separate descriptors or scoring methods may apply to each dimension of the student's
performance assessment.
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm]

Direct Assessment
 In direct assessment, students display knowledge or skills as the result of an assessment
measure (presentation, test, etc.). Direct measures of student learning require students
to display their knowledge and skills as they respond to the assessment measure.
Examples include tests, presentations, and essays. (www.reinaissance.com)

Essay Test

 A test that requires students to answer questions in writing. Responses can be brief or
extensive. Tests for recall, ability to apply knowledge of a subject to questions about the
subject, rather than ability to choose the least incorrect answer from a menu of options.
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm]

Evaluation

 Both qualitative and quantitative descriptions of pupil behaviour plus value judgments
concerning the desirability of that behaviour. Using collected information (assessments)
to make informed decisions about continued instruction, programs, and activities.
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm]
 Process that critically examines a program. It involves collecting and analysing
information about programs activities, characteristics, and outcomes.
(meera.snre.umich.edu)

Formative Assessment

 Observations which allow one to determine the degree to which students know or are
able to do a given learning task, and which identifies the part of the task that the
student does not know or is unable to do. Outcomes suggest future steps for teaching
and learning. http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm]
  Formative assessment is done during a program or service to provide information useful
in improving learning or teaching while it is still occurring. An assessment which is used
for improvement (individual or program level) rather than for making final decisions or
for accountability. (https//www.aeseducation.com)

Grade Equivalent

 A score that describes student performance in terms of the statistical performance of an

average student at a given grade level. A grade equivalent score of 5.5, for example,
might indicate that the student's score is what could be expected of a average student
doing average work in the fifth month of the fifth grade. This score allows for a
theoretical or approximate comparison across grades. It ranges from September of the
kindergarten year (K. O.) to June of the senior year in high school (12.9) Useful as a
ranking score, grade equivalents are only a theoretical or approximate comparison
across grades. In this case, it may not indicate what the student would actually score on
a test given to a midyear fifth grade class.
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm

Indirect Assessment
 In indirect assessment, learning is inferred instead of being supported by direct evidence.
Captures students’ perceptions of their learning. Students reflect on learning rather
than demonstrate it. Examples include surveys, focus groups, and document analysis.
(www.reinaissance.com)

I. Q. Tests

 The first of the standardized norm-referenced tests, developed during the nineteenth
century. Traditional psychologists believe that neurological and genetic factors underlie
"intelligence" and that scoring the performance of certain intellectual tasks can provide
assessors with a measurement of general intelligence. There is a substantial body of
research that suggests that I.Q. tests measure only certain analytical skills, missing many
areas of human endeavor considered to be intelligent behavior. I. Q is considered by
some to be fixed or static; whereas an increasing number of researchers are finding that
intelligence is an ongoing process that continues to change throughout life.
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm

Item Analysis
  Analyzing each item on a test to determine the proportions of students selecting each
answer. Can be used to evaluate student strengths and weaknesses; may point to
problems with the test's validity and to possible bias.
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm

Mean

 One of several ways of representing a group with a single, typical score. It is figured by
adding up all the individual scores in a group and dividing them by the number of people
in the group. Can be affected by extremely low or high scores.
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm

Measurement

 Quantitative description of student learning and qualitative description of student

attitude. http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm

Median

 The point on a scale that divides a group into two equal subgroups. Another way to
represent a group's scores with a single, typical score. The median is not affected by low
or high scores as is the mean. (See Norm.)
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm

Method of Assessment
Method of assessment highlights the way(s) in which the learning outcome will be
measured (i.e. survey, focus group, interview, etc.). Multiple methods will yield richer
data. (researchgate.net)

Mixed Methods
Mixed methods are procedures for collecting both qualitative and quantitative data in a
single study. (researchgate.net)

Observations
Observations allow you to actually see students demonstrating achievement of learning
outcomes. Observations can be measured through the use of rubrics, checklists, or note
taking. (https://empowerweb.org)

Objectives
 Objectives are concrete ways goals are met through program processes and student
learning and development. They will describe what the program will do or what the
 student is to do. Objectives are often written more in terms of teaching intentions and
typically indicate the subject content that the teacher(s) intend to cover.
(https://empowerweb.org)

On-Demand Assessment

 An assessment process that takes place as a scheduled event outside the normal
routine. An attempt to summarize what students have learned that is not embedded in
classroom activity. http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm

Outcome

 An operationally defined educational goal, usually a culminating activity, product, or

performance that can be measured.
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm

Performance-Based Assessment

 Direct, systematic observation and rating of student performance of an educational

objective, often an on going observation over a period of time, and typically involving
the creation of products. The assessment may be a continuing interaction between
teacher and student and should ideally be part of the learning process. The assessment
should be a real-world performance with relevance to the student and learning
community. Assessment of the performance is done using a rubric, or analytic scoring
guide to aid in objectivity. Performance-based assessment is a test of the ability to apply
knowledge in a real-life setting.
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm

Performance Criteria
 The standards by which student performance is evaluated. Performance criteria help
assessors maintain objectivity and provide students with important information about
expectations, giving them a target or goal to strive for.
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm

Portfolio Assessment
 Portfolio assessment has students create portfolios by gathering a body of evidence of
their own learning and competencies. (https//www.aeseducation.com)

Post-test
  Assessment of an individual’s command of knowledge or skills following a learning
experience. A pre-test typically precedes this for comparison to determine if there was
an acquisition of knowledge or skill. (https://empowerweb.org)
Pre-test
 Assessment of an individual’s command of knowledge or skills preceding a learning
experience. A post-test typically follows for comparison to determine if there was an
acquisition of knowledge or skill. (https://empowerweb.org)

Product

 The tangible and stable result of a performance or task. An assessment is made of

student performance based on evaluation of the product of a demonstration of
learning. http://www.newhorizons.org

Profile

 A graphic compilation of the performance of an individual on a series of assessments.

http://www.newhorizons.org

Project

 A complex assignment involving more than one type of activity and production. Projects
can take a variety of forms, some examples are a mural construction, a shared service
project, or other collaborative or individual effort. http://www.newhorizons.org

Qualitative
 Qualitative assessment methodology is primarily characterized by words and
descriptions. Examples include observations, focus groups, interviews, student
reflections, case studies, portfolios, and open-ended questions.
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/terminology.htm

Quantitative
 Quantitative assessment methodology is primarily characterized by the use of numbers.
Examples include pre/post-tests and surveys. (https//www.aeseducation.com)

Random Sample
 A sampling method in which each participant or element has an equal chance of being
selected for inclusion in a study. http://www.newhorizons.org
Response Rate
 The number of people participating in a survey divided by the number selected in the
sample, in the form of a percentage. (https//www.aeseducation.com)

Results of Assessment
 Results of assessment include the overall findings of assessments. It is not necessary to
include every finding of the assessment; instead, focus on findings related to the
identified program/service outcomes. (https//www.aeseducation.com)

Rubric

 Some of the definitions of rubric are contradictory. In general a rubric is a scoring guide
used in subjective assessments. A rubric implies that a rule defining the criteria of an
assessment system is followed in evaluation. A rubric can be an explicit description of
performance characteristics corresponding to a point on a rating scale. A scoring rubric
makes explicit expected qualities of performance on a rating scale or the definition of a
single scoring point on a scale. http://www.newhorizons.org

Score

 A rating of performance based on a scale or classification. http://www.newhorizons.org

Self-Assessment

 A process in which a student engages in a systematic review of a performance, usually

for the purpose of improving future performance. May involve comparison with a
standard, established criteria. May involve critiquing one's own work or may be a simple
description of the performance. Reflection, self-evaluation, metacognition, are related
terms. http://www.newhorizons.org

Subjective Test

 A test in which the impression or opinion of the assessor determines the score or
evaluation of performance. A test in which the answers cannot be known or prescribed
in advance. http://www.newhorizons.org

Summative Assessment
 Evaluation at the conclusion of a unit or units of instruction or an activity or plan to
determine or judge student skills and knowledge or effectiveness of a plan or activity.
Outcomes are the culmination of a teaching/learning process for a unit, subject, or
year's study. (See Formative Assessment.) http://www.newhorizons.org