Assessment refers to varied methods and/or tools that are used to evaluate/certify, measure, monitor, observe, and document learning progress, academic readiness, skill acquisition, or educational needs of students. Assessment plays a key role in our data-driven decision making and is an important part of the whole child data picture. Different types of assessment enable us to answer key questions around student learning, such as:

• What do students know? What do they not yet know?

• Where are students struggling? Why?

• What should I teach next? What should I adjust in future lessons?

• Which students need an intervention? 

• Which intervention matches the need?

• Does retained learning meet district and state expectations?

• Does our curriculum have gaps between learning expectations and assessment?

• What are the common types of assessment? What do they each help us understand about student learning and needs? This chart shows the types of assessments that make up a comprehensive assessment system.