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Summative assessments are generally used to assess students' learning experiences and document retention of information at the end of a specific checkpoint in a unit of study, academic marking period, or school year (e.g., standardized [high stakes] testing). Summative assessments such as tests, final projects and standardized tests are typically graded and emphasize the product of student learning. The end goal is to evaluate what students have learned and their overall understanding of content areas.
This section explores the purpose of using summative assessments and highlights how assessments are used to inform and guide instructional activities, differentiate instruction, and facilitate students’ engagement in learning. Examples of assessments are included ranging from the design and the use of traditional multiple-choice tests, and other products/representation of student learning (e.g., project-based activities and portfolios) during in-class and remote learning experiences.
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Why Do We Use Summative Assessment?
Why Do We Use Summative Assessment?
This checklist created by NWEA identifies various types of assessment tools (including summative assessment) and the evaluative purpose of each type of assessment.
This infographic highlights the comparison between formative and summative assessment.
This video includes information focusing on the purpose of summative assessment, the importance of assessment practices, and examples of assessments.
This article from Edutopia discusses changing the lens of summative assessment during remote learning from global/end of learning exams to the assessment of project and performance based instructional tasks.
The importance and benefits of summative assessment are explored including examples of assessments.
This NWEA article compares the use of formative, interim, and summative assessments and the role of assessment data in student learning.
How Does Summative Assessment Inform and Guide Instruction?
How Does Summative Assessment Inform and Guide Instruction?
using-map-growth-data-to-inform-instruction_NWEA_ebook.pdfThis NWEA ebook provides comprehensive information focusing on interim and summative assessments, using assessments to inform effective teaching practices, and addresses the needs of students in meeting established learning benchmarks.
using-assessment-data-to-shape-instruction_NWEA_whitepaper (1).pdfThis NWEA article discusses the use of assessment data by educators to adjust instructional strategies, establish instructional goals, and facilitate students’ engagement in learning.
5-signs-of-a-data-informed-classroom_NWEA_Whitepaper (1).pdfThis NWEA white paper explores the signs of a data-informed classroom which includes the effective use of data, ongoing assessment, using data to review instructional practices, and supporting students to become self-regulated learners.
Research-and-Practice-What-research-tells-us-about-new-kindergarteners-and-how-you-can-boost-reading-and-math-skills_NWEA_ebook.pdfThis NWEA research report on kindergarten students examines best practice strategies, based on data, to implement in reading and math to improve students’ achievement and learning outcomes.
Assessment-data-gives-students-choice-and-a-voice_NWEA_Whitepaper (1).pdfThis NWEA white paper discusses the connection between assessment and using assessment results to facilitate student-driven goal setting.
instructional-connections_NWEA_factsheet.pdfThis NWEA factsheet delineates resources for instruction in grades K-12 in math (Khan Academy) and ELA, social studies, science and social-emotional learning (Newsela) aligned to summative assessment results.
The article addresses the rationale for conducting summative assessments, the summative assessment process, and includes an extensive suggested list of performance-based activities that can be evaluated by using summative assessment methods.
Examples of Classroom Use Across the Grades
Examples of Classroom Use Across the Grades
Examples of summative assessments are highlighted, including the process of planning instruction and conducting a summative evaluation aligned to the activity.
Four types of online summative assessment strategies (written reports, objective tests, portfolios, and presentations) for use during remote learning are outlined.
This article highlights virtual project-based summative activities and resources for students (and families) to investigate during remote learning opportunities.
Websites and applications (including Google applications) are reviewed and highlighted to support the design of summative (and formative) assessments for online learning.
Critical elements of designing project-based learning are outlined in this article to ensure appropriate learning outcomes for students including the use of summative assessments to evaluate the projects. Additional resources are also recommended.
Guidelines for the development of student writing portfolios including resources to guide evaluating portfolios using rubrics as a summative assessment.
This video explains the purpose and process of creating analytical and holistic rubrics as a summative assessment.
Website includes extensive templates/samples of assessment rubrics (including rubrics aligned to Engage NY and classroom technology) in all content areas and related tutorials to develop and use instructional rubrics.
tests and assessments.pdfThe guide provides step-by-step recommendations to create reliable and valid summative evaluations (multiple choice and essay tests) to assess student learning.
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