SUMMARIES OF THE BOOK: "A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO ASSESSING ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS"

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CHAPTER 1: THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING ASSESSMENT

By Licda. Virginia Mora Real

This chapter gives us a definition of what we understand as assessment, “it is an integral part of the entire curriculum cycle, not something tacked on as an afterthought to teaching.”

The idea is not only to get results from the assessment process, but also it is imperative to make time for analysis and feedback. As a matter of fact, analysis is the basis for helpful feedback to students, teachers, and administrators. So assessment must be coupled with analysis which will improve instruction. Assessment alone cannot.

There are six main steps in the assessment process. They are:

·       Planning

·       Development

·       Administration

·       Analysis

·       Feedback

·       Reflection

When planning you may follow other important steps as well.

1.    Know why you assess and choose a type of assessment that fits your needs.

2.    Map the content and main objectives of the section of the course.

3.    Consider what weigh you assign to the objectives to be assessed.

Other aspect to take into account when planning a test is the specifications for it.

A specification as the authors explain is “a detailed description of exactly what is being assessed and how it is being done.”

The use of specifications contributes to transparency and accountability because underlying rationale is made very explicit.

Specifications can be simple or complex, depending on the context for assessment.