The concept of ‘assessment’ finds its roots in the Latin verb “asserde,” meaning “to sit beside.”

As Swaffield (2009) aptly puts it, “By sitting beside, literally or metaphorically, teachers gather the evidence, which they interpret to provide information about what the students have learnt, how successful their teaching has been, and what to do next.” This idea underscores the importance of assessment as a process of understanding students’ progress, adapting teaching methods, and determining the next steps for both learners and teachers.

Recognising and valuing achievement is a powerful motivator for students. When done effectively, assessment encourages learners to take ownership of their learning. It becomes more than just a tool for measuring academic progress and fosters personal growth and resilience in learners.

Assessment involves continuously gathering, analysing, and interpreting evidence to inform educational decisions. Teachers use this data to reflect on their practices, understand student progress, and adjust their teaching strategies accordingly. This process enhances learning with instruction responsive to students’ evolving needs.

Assessment provides students with meaningful feedback that informs teachers’ planning and decision-making processes. It also maintains transparency with parents and administrators, offering a clear record of student progress.

Two key types of assessment in primary education serve a distinct purpose.

Summative assessment is typically administered at the end of a learning period. It encapsulates a student’s achievements and growth, helping to categorise students into performance groups. Additionally, summative assessments yield reportable metrics that inform learners, parents, and school administrators of students’ progress.

Formative assessment is a dynamic and ongoing process that focuses on understanding a learner’s knowledge and diagnosing misunderstandings. It informs teachers about the next steps in the learning to ensure students feeling supported and remain on track.

Essential Assessment combines summative and formative assessment approaches to support student learning within the primary curriculum of mathematics and  English. It helps teachers with:

• Informed Decision-Making: With access to accurate, real-time student assessment data, teachers can make more informed decisions about their instruction and respond effectively to each learner’s needs.
• Effective Time Management: EA’s automated assessment process and detailed insights provide a quick analysis of student progress, reducing time spent grading and reporting and freeing up more time for teaching.
• Create Personalised Learning Experiences: Teachers can develop personalised learning plans and grow each student’s understanding and skills using both online and printable assessment resources.

To learn more, visit essentialassessment.com.au.