Redefining Assessment: A Holistic Approach to Learning

What Is Assessment and How Do I Set Lesson Objectives? Assessment is more than a tool for assigning grades; it is an ongoing process of gathering evidence of student learning to inform instructional decisions and promote growth (Stiggins, 2017). I view assessment as a dialogue between student and teacher that allows both to understand where the student is in the learning process and how to move forward. When planning, I align assessment with clearly articulated lesson objectives derived from standards and real-world applications. I use backward design, starting with desired outcomes and designing assessments that reflect those goals (Wiggins & McTighe, 2005). For example, if the objective is for students to interpret quadratic functions in context, the assessment must require contextual reasoning—not just procedural fluency. Choosing the Right Assessment Type While all assessment types have their place, I find performance assessments most effective. They measure not just...