FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What is the best type of assessment for a team analyzing student test scores to evaluate a reading curriculum?

1. Diagnostic assessment

2. Formative assessment

3. Summative assessment

4. Performance assessment

The correct answer is: Summative assessment

When analyzing student test scores to evaluate a reading curriculum, summative assessment is particularly effective. Summative assessments are designed to measure student learning, skills, and achievement at the end of an instructional unit. They often come in the form of final exams, standardized tests, or cumulative projects that reflect comprehensive knowledge and skills gained throughout the instructional period. By using summative assessment data, educators can make informed decisions about the effectiveness of the reading curriculum. These assessments provide a clear picture of how well students have mastered the content and skills intended by the curriculum. This type of evaluation helps schools assess the overall impact of instructional strategies and curricular materials on student learning outcomes. In contrast, diagnostic assessments are typically used at the beginning of a course to identify students' strengths and weaknesses, formative assessments track student progress during the learning process, and performance assessments evaluate practical applications of skills and knowledge in real-world scenarios. While each of these assessments has its own advantages, summative assessments provide the comprehensive data needed to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the reading curriculum based on student performance at a specific point in time.