NATIONAL CENTRE FOR EXCELLENCE

Decoding the NEP for Parents 2.0.5

07.02.22 02:55 PM By Author

Decoding the NEP for Parents 2.0.5

Dear NCFE Community

What is our purpose of Assessments in Education?


The word ‘Assessment’ rouses fear in each of us be it a student, teacher or parent. The reasons for this fear could be varied for different people.

However, from a progressive education front, Assessment in Education clearly defines a forward path for the student, teacher, parent and the school as a whole.

Unfortunately our mindset has been tuned to be fearful and experiences have roped in this baseless fear.

The above thoughts and The NEP 2020, which was released by the Union Cabinet on 29th July 2020, clearly indicate the following aspects as the purpose of assessment.

According to the Great School Partnership, the glossary of education refers to the term assessment as the wide variety of methods or tools that educators use to evaluate, measure, and document the academic readiness, learning progress, skill acquisition, or educational needs of students.

When you decipher this meaning it reflects:
  • Agility
  • Varied methods or tools
  • Exploring readiness levels
  • Progress
  • Skill 
  • Needs of learners

Each of the above words reflect ‘positivity’ and ‘affirmation’.

Then, what is the reason for FEAR?

The reason or justification is because we do not understand the purpose of assessment nor the process of assessment.

Hence, it is vital for schools to define this process, explain the purpose and implement the process effectively for assessment to truly derive its purpose.

The Vision and Mission of NCFE are clearly aligned to this purpose of assessment in education.

In the light of the above context and our intention of Decoding the NEP 2020 for our parents, our area of focus for this month is – ‘Windowed Assessments or Varied Assessments’

Education has seen a dramatic change and NCFE is a pioneer in forward thinking.

Through this newsletter we will gain an insight into assessments and its relevance in education.
National Centre for Excellence - NEP for Parents


At NCFE, assessments of different kinds are built into our system and functionality.

Let’s understand the need and how we go about this process:


1. Diagnostic Assessment: 

This kind of assessment helps a teacher know where the student stands in his/her learning. This could happen at the entry level to school or could be at the beginning of a class.

 

Example: If the objective for the day is to teach multiplication, a teacher must first understand if the student has mastered ‘place value’ before commencing the topic.

 

A few ways of conducting diagnostic assessments in NCFE include:
  • Mind maps
  • Flow charts
  • KWL charts
  • Short quizzes
  • Journal entries
  • Student interviews
  • Student reflections
  • Graphic organizers
  • Classroom discussions

2. Formative and Summative Assessments

Assessment for Learning

Assessment of Learning

Assessment as Learning

Learning on the go

Learning at the end of a unit or chapter

Students are involved actively in the learning process. Helps students set goals and achieve them effectively

Adjustments are made from the teacher’s end to modify lesson plans and classroom management strategies

Assessments to check for student learning and if they are in alignment to the learning expected for the Grade

Assessments like peer assessments, self- assessments,

What are students learning? What are the challenges? Where are the difficult areas? Which teaching strategies worked well? What changes can teachers’ make?

 

Exam scores or test scores. What do these reveal?

 

A concrete grade that is communicated to parents, students and teachers.

Encourages problem – solving and critical thinking skills

National Centre for Excellence - Assessment for NEP
3. Ipsative Assessments
These assessments are increasingly gaining importance. 
They allow –
  • a draft assessment to be put up
  • reviewed 
  • the final draft is submitted

Ipsative assessments are one of the types of assessment as learning that compares previous results with a second try, motivating students to set goals and improve their skills. 


Student portfolios and Project based learning are prime examples of Ipsative Assessments.

This increases student motivation and performance.

4. Norm- Referenced Assessments
These assessments are created to assess one individual student against a set of peers, based on national or international standards to provide a comparison of the individual standing of the student.

Norm- referenced assessments are like – 

5. Criterion – referenced Assessment
These assessments involve assessments for a qualification, an entry into    a course etc.

Criterion-referenced assessments compare the score of an individual student to a learning standard and performance level, independent of other students around them. 

These could include:
  • NEET examinations
  • IIT- JEE examinations
  • GRE
  • SAT
  • TOEFL

Assessments are an on-going process that provide plenty of opportunities for a growth mindset.

At NCFE, we ensure to prepare our teachers for the purpose and variety of assessments through the VijayKiran Learning Centre.

As stakeholders in a student’s educational journey that makes them ready for life, let us learn, understand and act together to improvise and work on effective assessments and treat each assessment with much needed importance.

In conclusion, this newsletter reflects the responsibility of the parent, student and the teacher in making assessments a matter of habit, being comfortable with assessments and encouraging assessments as a progression in learning.

Read and Watch:
Serving you,

Ms. Sunalini Benjamin
Chief Operating Officer
VKGI- NCFE

Author

Tags :
Categories :