Educational Psychology Service - Assessment Tools for Teachers
ASSESSMENT TOOLS FOR TEACHERS
Effective class teachers and teachers of support for learning will utilise a range of assessment tools as they build a picture of a pupil’s strengths and areas for support. In most circumstances, the use of contextualised assessment (e.g. a teacher’s observations; pupil’s own observations; work samples) will enable practitioners to build a detailed picture of pupils’ learning needs. However, the use of standardised tests can also add to the assessment picture and can be an important part of a Support for Learning teacher’s assessment toolkit. Tests can be helpful in terms of tracking progress, supporting the process of identifying why a child is experiencing a difficulty and in confirming a teacher’s professional judgement.
However, standardised tests do come with a health warning and before utilising any test, teachers should consider the following questions:
■ Is there a clear rationale for undertaking the text? Will the scope of the test allow me to answer the questions that need answered?
■ Is the test fair to the pupil? For example, many tests are not suitable for children whose first language is not English and for children who are hearing or visually impaired. Children with attention difficulties or who are anxious may also find ‘testing’ difficult. Teachers can take advice from services such as the English as an Additional Language Service, the Educational Psychology Service and the Sensory Education service if they are unsure of a test’s suitability.
■ Is the test undertaken as part of a broader assessment process? Teachers should draw on a range of evidence as part of any assessment.
The respective links below take you to reviews of tests which are deemed by the Educational Psychology Service to be useful and are commonly used across Moray.
Contact Us
Educational Psychology Service
Beechbrae Education Centre
Duffus Road
Elgin
01343 550999