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To effectively administer assessments, we must consider the how and why behind them, as there are multiple purposes, methods, and goals involved. Initially, we determine the purpose of the assessment and then select the model that aligns best with our objectives.  

It is crucial to understand the purpose behind the choice of assessments in your school.  

Assessments can serve as formative or summative tools depending on how the data is utilized. The data can be used for immediate feedback, targeted interventions, instructional adjustments, curriculum modifications, and individual or group evaluation. 

Ultimately, the assessment should help students demonstrate and increase their learning.  

Additionally, assessments may be necessary for making placement decisions, evaluating college and career readiness, or fulfilling state-mandated testing requirements for scholarship and voucher students. It is essential to include reporting to parents on their child's mastery of the curriculum, informing key stakeholders about the school's performance, monitoring growth, and identifying special student groups such as special needs, and GATE.  

Here are some questions to ponder when deciding on an assessment program for your school:  

• What is your purpose for assessment?  
  

• What assessment format do you prefer?  
  

• What grade levels do you assess?  

• What content areas do you want to assess?  

• What standards/objectives should be reflected in the test?  

• What type of data do you need?  

Developing an assessment matrix worksheet can be helpful in determining which tools are most effective for your purposes (example linked here). Headers might include:  

• Format, e.g., paper, online, adaptive, fixed form  

• Purpose, e.g., summative, benchmark, admissions, gifted and talented identification, learning loss identification, learning styles, college entrance, placement  

• Grade Levels  

• Data, e.g., norm-referenced, criterion-referenced, real-time results, cognitive abilities  

• Standards/Objectives, e.g., College & Career Readiness, National, Common Core  

• Content Areas  

The purpose of data is crucial in achieving our goals and supporting student learning. Once we have established our purpose and goals for assessment, we need to reflect on whether our current approach fulfills that purpose and make adjustments as necessary to meet our objectives.