Educational Assessment: Is It Really that Hard?

Standardized assessments are not the work of evil-doers.  Though from ground-zero (the classroom) it can feel that way. The problem with standardized assessments is that they are standardized.  The intent behind standardization is to create a method of assessment that is objective. This sort of approach works well when testing tire safety, or performing other types of quality control tasks.  It does not work well with people.

Note to education policy and assessment specialists, people are not the same. 

Standardized assessments are cold and unfriendly.  Tires don't care, but people do.  Standardized assessments do not measure thinking, except in a very limited sense.  But, let's not throw the baby out with the bath water.  Let's not ditch assessments all together...at least, not yet.

Note to education policy and assessment specialists, trust teachers.

What would an assessment look like that accounted for differences in students and that trusted teachers to administer the assessment accurately and carefully?

Choice.  A one size fits all assessment model doesn't work.  Period.  Assessments must vary in flavor. A new assessment model could allow collaboration between the parent/guardian, student and teacher  to determine which assessment method would provide the best possible measurable outcome for the student.

Method.  Teachers are experts at rubrics.  Sample rubrics could be developed as they have been for some state-mandated teacher evaluation programs.  The work product or output of the assessment would vary, however, the objectives to be measured would remain the same. How hard is that?

Current state-mandated assessment models are not student-centered.  They focus on the ease of implementation for the state.  They focus on control not trust.  If we are to fix the education system we must fix the way we assess our students.  We must focus on building a new choice-based assessment methodology that allows all learners to communicate what they know and what they know how to do.