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‘The primary purpose of assessment is to enhance learning and enable the reporting of student’s achievement.’ This description from the Department of Education & Training in Western Australia sums it up pretty well.
Assessment is not just about testing, though this is one component. It is about making use of data that comes from assessment to improve teaching and learning and thus improve achievement for all involved. In terms of transparency, any assessment carried out requires a reporting process. In school situations this may be to one of several places, not the least of which are parents of the students involved. It may also include other staff, the relevant Department, state or territory government, national government or an international education body.
Reporting can be via written reports, other documentary forms, some now have online formats, group discussions, one to one meetings and others. In whatever form, data needs to be presented in such a way that it is clear to all who need to have access to it. Jargon should be avoided. Scoring formats need to be easily understood with commonly held values. Follow up to written reports should be freely available as required.
While Assessment and Reporting are linked, this section contains separate pages for each. There may be some overlap in parts of these. In addition, there is a page detailing major examinations, qualifications [secondary] other testing programs and further information.
As page titles clearly indicate the content, we have not added descriptors. Click on the page title to go to the page.