Assessment plays a role in the instructional process. Assessment procedures can greatly impact the effectiveness of the instructional process. Assessments that are well designed and appropriately utilized can lead directly to increased student learning.

1) Planning- develop a blueprint of intended instruction specific to essential standards, measurements for data collection, and allows reflection on the quality of instruction and corresponding assessment

At this point, instructors must understand the appropriate methods of measurement

2) Placement- consider pre-assessments to test for prior knowledge or assess current level of readiness.  This data will aid in differentiating instruction based on readiness or placement concerns.  

Students without the necessary readiness skills should be directed to readiness experiences prior to instruction. Student who display mastery through placement tests will need to be moved to a higher level of depth or extension of learning.

3) Formative Assessments- used to monitor student progress during instruction.

Often a formative assessment is given to check for mastery of a small group of standards or skills before moving on to additional information. During performance tasks, formative assessments may take the form of conferences, feedback forms, or quick check ins.

4) Diagnostic assessment- occurs during the instructional process as an intervention into specific learning targets based on various formative assessments. The utilization of diagnostic assessment should be limited to those students who continually do not reach learning outcomes on multiple formative assessments.

5) Summative Assessment- a comprehensive assessment of all essential skills, learning standards and mastery guidelines