Teachers vs Students: Effective Assessments

Assessments have always been a big part of classroom learning. If we want to get technical, Horace Mann developed the idea of written assessments in 1845. Frederick J. Kelly invented the first known published multiple-choice test in 1914. The intention behind introducing this form to the classroom was to improve both the student’s learning and the teacher’s teaching.

At our School, assessments come in all shapes and forms. It can be speaking challenges in Language class, handwritten timed tests for Math class, Typed-out essays for English class, or even pop quizzes in Science class. Yet, there comes a time when the student asks the question: what is the point of assessments? And how effective are they?

Dr. Jennifer Brakeman, Biology Honors teacher and the School’s scheduler, states that assessments give students “an impetus in order to synthesize and comprehend both the skills and material the student should learn.” The second main purpose is to “show how well the students have synthesized the material.” 

Junior Kaleo Chen also agrees with the purpose of assessments, though he also notes how “they are not only indicative of the student, they also show how well the teacher is showing across this material.”  

Yet, students such as Chen can feel like the assessments can be overwhelming. It can get to a point where multiple assessments fall on the same day. As a result, Chen states that he sometimes finds himself barely getting by. Ms. Math, English Teacher, recalls that “assessments can be stressful”. 

So how does the School address this? The student handbook reads, “The School endeavors to keep homework and the number of tests and major assignments consistent to ensure that no student has more than two tests/major papers due on one day or three major assessments (including papers) in a single week. Major assignments are monitored by the class dean, who may arrange a test or essay extension.”

Yet, this isn’t always the case. As stated again by the student handbook, “Students who have more than two major assessments on a single day should notify their teachers and class dean.” 

Dr. Brakeman states that this has happened recently: “It was our fault for not putting the test on the assessment calendar, and so the science fair landed on the same day as a history project and English essay. The student who brought this to my attention did so ahead of time.”

By communicating with teachers ahead of time, students can find themselves in less stressful situations and potentially gain more out of the assessments. Additionally, as stated by Ms. Math, “the hallways feel empty around [office hour times]. I would encourage students to definitely use that time to meet with teachers.”