Assessment dominates our lives but its good intentions often produce negative consequences. An example that is central to this book is how current forms of assessment encourage shallow 'for-the-test' learning. It is true to say that as the volume of assessment increases, confidence in what it represents is diminishing. This book seeks to reclaim assessment as a constructive activity which can encourage deeper learning. To do this the purpose, and fitness-for-purpose, of assessments have to be clear.
Gordon Stobart critically examines five issues that currently have high-profile...
Assessment dominates our lives but its good intentions often produce negative consequences. An example that is central to this book is how current ...
Assessments are high-stakes when there are serious consequences for one or more stakeholders. Historically, tests have largely been used for selection or for providing a 'licence to practise', making them high-stakes for the test takers. Testing is now also used for the purposes of improving standards of teaching and learning and of holding schools accountable for their students' results. These tests then become high-stakes for teachers and schools, especially when they have to meet externally imposed targets. More recent has been the emergence of international comparative testing, which has...
Assessments are high-stakes when there are serious consequences for one or more stakeholders. Historically, tests have largely been used for selection...
