How to Measure Student Growth in Innovative Ways

There are a variety of different innovative methods educators can use to implement assessments with students. Below is a list of alternative assessments to integrate into your classroom: 

• Project-Based Assessments: Assessing student performance involves evaluating their ability to apply the skills they have learned to complete a project successfully. Project-based assessments are an effective way to help students make connections between what they have learned in the classroom and real-world situations, leading to higher levels of comprehension.

• Performance-Based Assessments: Performance-based assessments gauge student comprehension and success through the ability to display skills in activities. The activities used in this assessment style connect to real world situations to show students why what they are learning is important.

• Portfolios and Work Samples: Throughout the semester or school year students can compile their work into a portfolio. This shows a full view of what they have learned and the progress they have made over the course of the year. These portfolios can be used by students when applying to schools, after school programs, summer camps, or jobs.

• Self-Assessments: Self-assessments are beneficial for student reflection on their overall comprehension and skill level. The self awareness needed to conduct this assessment will help students focus on what they have learned and what they should practice in the future.
• Peer Assessments: Peer assessments are beneficial for students to think critically about what they are learning. This also helps students develop the critical skill of being able to assess the abilities of others and provide feedback in an effective manner.

• Formative Assessments and Feedback Loops: Formative assessments include time for students and educators to reflect throughout the lesson. This approach gives educators the feedback they need to pivot their approach and create more effective lesson plans in real time.
• Capstones and Final Projects: Capstone projects allow students to take what they have learned and implement it into one final piece of work. The capstone project gauges student comprehension and allows them to further expand that knowledge when connecting it to real world situations.