What is assessment?

Assessment is the ongoing process of:

• gathering, analysing and interpreting evidence
•  reflecting on findings
• making informed and consistent judgements to improve student learning.

Assessment for improved student learning and deep understanding requires a range of assessment practices to be used with three overarching purposes:

• Assessment for learning: occurs when teachers use inferences about student progress to inform their teaching (formative assessment)
• Assessment as learning: occurs when students reflect on and monitor their progress to inform their future learning goals (formative assessment)
• Assessment of learning: occurs when teachers use evidence of student learning to make judgements on student achievement against goals and standards (summative assessment).