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You are asked by the Board of Education to compare and contrast the two broad types of assessment (formal and informal) to a group of concerned citizens who have raised questions about the district’s standardized test scores. Discuss the type of information that you would share with these citizens. Be sure to give specific examples and how both can be used to benefit student achievement.
ASSIGNED TO:
RED 3393 Differentiated Instruction in Reading
Students can be assessed in two different ways, formally and informally. Both types of assessments assist teachers in giving us an idea of which level the students are at and how we can better assist them in their education. Formal assessments are usually standardized tests. There is evidence and previous statistics that can be related to the test. The results of formal assessments can be compared to percentiles, and standard scores; ultimately formal assessments are used to compare students performance to others in their age or grade group. These are the assessments that are used by the district and the state to get an overall idea of all the students. Informal assessments on the other hand are not date driven. These assessments are content and performance driven instead. Informal assessments can range from classroom observations, pop quizzes, and even homework. Informal assessments are used by teachers in order to determine if the instruction is being comprehended by the students. Informal assessments can also be used to influence future classroom material as well.
In todays schools, teachers and administrators use two different types of assessments to monitor students progress; formal and informal. Formal assessments include standardize test such as the FCAT and SAT administered in our Florida schools. These type of tests are data driven and are used to monitor a students' progress from year to year and how students compare to other students of the same age and grade. The results of formal assessments are normally given in a percentile form. In contrast to formal assessments, informal assessments do not have to be a test. They can be made through observations gathered during group work and/or from working directly with a student. Informal assessments can be in the form of a portfolio, a miscue analysis, and even a simple checklist. An informal assessment is a way for the teachers to monitor the students mastery of any given subject and allows the teacher to adjust her lesson plans as need to meet the needs of the students.
There are two different types of assessment, Formal and Informal. Formal assessments are also known as high-stakes tests and sumative assessments. These assessments are very much like what we see in classrooms today but it appears to be phasing out. Some examples of formal assessments include: FCAT, SAT, EOC, etc. Formal assessments have statistics which support the conclusions from the test (ie. student has below average reading level). The scores are mathematically computed and summarized, the scores are given in percentages, standard scores and stanines. Informal assessments are not data driven but rather content and performance driven. For example, running records are informal assessments because they indicate how well a student is reading a specific book. Scores such as 10 correct out of 15, percent of words read correctly, and most rubric scores; are given from this type of assessment. Informal assessments are also known as authentic assessments and formative assessments. Informal assessments are the assessments that students receive in class from their teacher in order to make sure that students understand what us being taught. Both of these benefit student achievement because formal assessments gives us feedback and let's us know at what level a student is testing and what their strengths and weaknesses are, while informal assessments allow us to observe student knowledge of the concepts being taught in class and doesn't add the pressure that most formal tests do.
I agree with Lanfear when she mentioned that many of the formal assessments given in schools today are used to monitor student performance from year to year. Also, I agree that informal assessments can include checklists because it's something simple that a teacher can write down as a note to herself on a students mastery or portfolios that can be put together as the year progresses that will showcase all of the students work.
Students are tested in two ways: formal and informal. Formal assessments are known as well as high-stakes and sumative assessment. An example of a high stake exam is what we see in Florida known as the FCAT. The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is a test to determine whether students are learning the Sunshine State Standards. The questions on the test are written for each grade level
to determine whether students mastered the Sunshine State Standards in Reading, Math, Writing, and now Science. FCAT scores fall into one of five levels: Level 5 is the highest; Level 1 is the lowest.
Informal assessments are also called authentic and formative assessments. These assessments are taken in class in order for the teacher to test the child's understanding on the lesson that is taught. Both formal and informal assessments are both important but we have to take into consideration that not all students are "good test" takers.
to determine whether students mastered the Sunshine State Standards in Reading, Math, Writing, and now Science. FCAT scores fall into one of five levels: Level 5 is the highest; Level 1 is the lowest.
Informal assessments are also called authentic and formative assessments. These assessments are taken in class in order for the teacher to test the child's understanding on the lesson that is taught. Both formal and informal assessments are both important but we have to take into consideration that not all students are "good test" takers.
I agree with all the other posts especially on Pielago's entry. Loved the example of running records she gave. I didn't realize that it was considered an informal assessment. Learned something new! :)
There are two different types of assessments that teachers use to monitor students' progress. One type of assessment is a formal assessment. Formal assessments are considered a high-stakes approch. Anothet type is informal assessments, which are considered an authentic approach. Formal assessments are standardized tests like the FACT and SAT. These types of assessments are given in order to track student's progress from year to year orduring certain years to ensure that each student is learning and improving from one time period to the next. Informal assessments are not as simple or direct as a test that is administered. This type of assessment can be anything from a portfolio of the student's work to observations the teacher makes in the class. Both of these assessments can be very beneficial. The standardized assessments keep track of students progress with scores and authentic assessments help teachers ensure on a more frequent basis that wach student is meeting the requirements and are on track.
Michelle, I completely forgot about check lists. I like that idea. I think that could be very useful and easy to create as well as administer. Also, I like that you pointed out how informal assessments allow the teacher to adjust her lessons as needed.
I agree with Michelle Lanfear. I also loved that she included the examples of FCAT and SAT when describing formal assessments. It helps to better understand the difference between informal and formal assessment.
Formal assessments have statistics which support the conclusions made from the test. These tests have been tried before on students and have statistics which support the conclusion such as the student is reading below average for his age, or the math the student is learning is too difficult for the student. Standard scores mostly come from this type of assessment. Informal assessments are not data driven but rather content and performance driven. For example, running records are informal assessments because they indicate how well a student is reading a specific book. Scores such as 10 correct out of 15, percent of words read correctly, and most rubric scores; are given from this type of assessment. I believe the most effective teaching is based on student performance. Asking students to read aloud will let the teacher hear how well the student is able to read, if the student gets stuck on a certain word more than once, or if the pronunciation is incorrect. Also the student may be too advanced for the material and may need to be moved to a higher level. Observing the students will allow for a faster understanding of where the student is academically.
Michelle, I completely forgot about check lists. I like that idea. I think that could be very useful and easy to create as well as administer. Also, I like that you pointed out how informal assessments allow the teacher to adjust her lessons as needed.
Assessments can be either informal or formal with each form having different uses, goals, and benefits. Students can be accessed by both, however both are very different. By looking at each form of assessment one can ascertain the best type to choose in each situation. Informal assessment include projects, presentations, experiments, demonstrations or performances. Other informal assessments can include portfolios, asking questions during class, or through informal observations of interaction. Then, theres Formal assessment which typically means using a test that involves standardized administration and that has norms and a formal interpretive procedure. Examples of formal assessment include standardized tests or end of chapter tests. This type of assessment has a specific right or wrong answer based on a set of predetermined criteria.
I like how De Arce explained each test and how it is implemented. I also agree that not all students are "good test takers" I am actually one of those students. If we as a whole could test our students in a less intense way, the stress would be taken off the shoulders of our students and they would perform at a higher level.
(I previously posted but now I don't see it) I feel that there is a need for both types of assessment within the classroom. It is a given that not all students are good test takers, yet some are. A standardized test is a great initial way to see where students stand in their educational paths. However, I do not think a formal assessment or standardized test should be counted against them in anyway. Informal assessment is a great tool to use within the classroom because it allows one on one implementation and assessment with the teacher and the student. With informal assessments, teachers can alter their strategies for assessing different students based on their personal testing needs.
I agree with Richardson in that observing students is crucial within the classroom in order to monitor their progress and make any necessary changes which may be beneficial to them.
I agree with Richardson in that observing students is crucial within the classroom in order to monitor their progress and make any necessary changes which may be beneficial to them.
In response to Evelyn: I agree that both formal and informal assessments are beneficial to both the school and the teachers to help track a students progress from year to year. There is a need and a place for these test. I also agree that the authentic or informal assessment is what helps the teachers most in gaging whether or not a student or the whole class is grasping the material from a lesson. Whether using a portfolio, checklist or homework, these types of assessments help teachers meet each students needs and give a better indication as to a student's progress.
I like this post a lot!
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