What is the Purpose of Assessment?

An assessment manifesto for K-12 learning communities.

Photo by CDC on Unsplash

1. We recognize that our assessment beliefs and practices fundamentally shape every other aspect of learning that occurs in the school environment.

As such, we engage in constant professional learning and seek to apply evidence-based thinking to our practices.

2. As a community of learners, we don’t learn to earn grades, marks, points, or other validating labels.

Instead, we embrace learning as a lifelong pursuit of growth. Journeys of learning lead us to self-actualization: the truest realization and expression of the passions, interests, and talents inspired by our Creator, which in turn allows us to be of greater service and contribution to our world.

3. We reject traditional assessment practices that have been used to rank and sort, label and limit, promote competition or demand compliance.

We avoid applications of assessment that value quantity over quality or amount to compensation for work completed.