For Better Results, Try Student-Centered Assessments

You can place “student-centered classroom” near the top of the Educational Buzzwords list over the last decade.  With its collaborative style and empowerment of student voice, these active learning strategies equate to high engagement and deep understanding.  Or so we hope.  However, there is less conversation about creating student-centered assessments. 

If you take the time to consciously build a student-centered classroom, you should also build your assessments in as much of a student-centered way as possible.

So, how do you build a solid summative assessment that accurately assesses student learning?

5 strategies to create a more student-centered assessment.

Strategy #1: Focus on the content you really want your students to know. 

The problem: You want a test that covers everything.  And, you want it to take a certain length of time, like an entire period.

At times, our exams require students to memorize and then regurgitate what is, at least in part, trivial information.  

Instead, you want your students to internalize your course material.  You want them to wow their friends and acquaintances at cocktail parties in ten years with what they learned from you.  You want them to discuss the real-world implications of your content.  

To do that, you have to be clear with yourself about what you need them to know. 

Key takeaway: Go deeper on fewer concepts.

Strategy #2: Identify any key skills you want students to have. 

The problem: Traditional test formats do little to address skills.

Maybe you want to assess their writing skills or public speaking skills.  Maybe you want to assess (and have students self-assess) group collaboration skills or creativity.  If so, incorporate skill-based tasks into your assessment.

What if you just want to focus on assessing content knowledge?  That’s fine. If so, there are several ways for students to demonstrate knowledge.  This takes us to our next strategy.

Key takeaway: Assessments can be a great opportunity to emphasize skills.

Strategy #3: Vary the assessment method.  

The problem: You know (and love!) those fill-in-the-blank and short-answer questions. As a result, your tests rely on one or two assessment formats all year. 

Based on the content and skills you want to assess, decide on the most appropriate format.  

Maybe you want to assess as much content as possible while supporting time-management skills.  Create a traditional in-person, timed exam.  

Maybe you want students to synthesize their notes and write a response to a prompt. Your assessment will likely feature a writing task. 

The format of the exam is arguably the most important decision you will make because it determines how the students communicate what they know.  Think about different formats and how each format communicates ideas.  

Key takeaway: Add one or two new assessment types each year.

Below are some common formats of assessment for your consideration.

Strategy #4: Reflect on how you prepare your students.

The problem: Teachers review content, but often fail to provide scaffolding for other skills needed on the assessment.

For example, if your assessment requires a presentation, group work, or other creative task, think about how to set students up for success in those activities.  One idea: throughout your unit, provide support and opportunities to practice.  

If your assessment is focused solely on content knowledge, study skills come into play.  You may need to devote class time and instruction on how to create a note card or study sheet, for example.

Whatever your chosen assessment format, work in some type of scaffolding or review so your students have the best opportunity to demonstrate what they know.

Key takeaway: Consider what skills are needed to succeed on your assessment.  Teach or review those skills.

Strategy #5: Think about how you’ll grade the assessment.

The problem:  A test score provides little feedback to students.

For tests that require students to create a writing sample or other product, rubrics are a great option for two reasons. First, rubrics force you to clarify exactly what a successful work product looks like.  They also let students know how they are going to be graded.  (Students can even use the rubric to grade it themselves if you feel comfortable doing that.)  

How much your assessment should be worth will depend on several factors.  Each assessment must be weighted relative to the other units in your course, the depth of the content, the class time devoted to the assignment, and the complexity of the task will all factor into your decision.  

Whatever you decide, do not have any one assessment worth so much that a student who did not do well cannot recoup the losses on later assessments. 

Key takeaway:  Rubrics clarify grading criteria on performance or writing tasks.    

Final tips for creating a student-centered assessment. 

1. Throughout your unit, clearly explain what you want students to know and why you want them to know it. 

2. Be sure to communicate how students will be expected to demonstrate their knowledge.

3. Explain the reasoning behind your assessment requirements.  For example, why are you asking them to write a DBQ essay?  This helps create a feeling of partnership; that you and your students are working together to make them knowledgeable and more ready to engage in the world around them.  

Amanda Melsby has been a professional educator for 20 years.  She taught English before working as an assistant principal and later as a high school principal.  Amanda holds an Ed.D. in Educational Practice and Leadership and is currently a dean of teaching and learning.