[PHI DELTA KAPPA] - From Formative Assessment to Assessment FOR Learning:
As the mission of schools changes from ranking students to ensuring that all learn to specified standards, Mr. Stiggins argues that the purpose and form of assessments must change as well.
accessed by Kappan subscribers.
http://www.pdkintl.org/kappan/k_v87/k0512toc.htm
One article, by Rick Stiggins, is available free online and calls for building assessments systems more appropriate for helping all students.
Traditionally, schools have used assessment -- the pending final exam, the unannounced pop quiz, and the threat of low or failing report card grades -- to motivate students; Pressure to get high test scores and good grades, it was believed, would motivate greater effort and thus more
learning;The recent change in the mission of schools has clouded this traditional view of the relationship between assessment and motivation;