Ipsative Assessment

Ipsative assessment measures student learning growth from one point to another. We might measure student learning growth from the start of a lesson to the end, or from the introduction to a topic to its conclusion, or from the start of a term or unit to its end.

We undertake ipsative assessment when we carry out a pre and post test. 

We also undertake ipsative assessment when we create opportunities for students to self-assess their learning progress using a learning progression that helps map out where they are, and where they can aim to get to.

Constantly being measured against the standards can be a defeating or meaningless experience for many students. 

Imagine being reported as 'below the standard' year after year, students are not likely to find that a motivating experience.

Students often don't understand the measurement procedures and calculations that go into developing standardised assessment outcomes which are designed to report student achievement against every other student in the state.

These standardised assessments often hide what students have actually achieved and do little to encourage them to see where they are and where they could get to.

Growth based assessment strategies and learning progressions help students focus on their learning, not the comparison of their achievement to others.

Ipsative assessment promotes student engagement with their learning by actively involving them in understanding their strengths and areas that might need more effort and focus. Learning progressions can also help them map their next steps, or set realistic goals for where they want to get to next in their learning.

Know where students are, show them where they could go next, and check their progress along the way.