FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What type of assessment is best for evaluating whether to continue using the current core reading curriculum by analyzing student test scores?

1. summative

2. formative

3. diagnostic

4. informal

The correct answer is: summative

Summative assessment is designed to evaluate student learning at the conclusion of an instructional unit or curriculum. It provides an overall measure of student achievement in relation to established benchmarks or standards. In this context, analyzing student test scores from the current core reading curriculum gives educators insight into its effectiveness. If the test scores indicate that students are meeting, exceeding, or falling short of expected outcomes, stakeholders can make informed decisions about whether to continue using that particular curriculum. This type of assessment typically occurs after instruction has been delivered, allowing for the accumulation of comprehensive data reflecting student performance. It is ideal for evaluating overall program effectiveness in a systematic way, leading to discussions about necessary curriculum adjustments. Summative assessments may include standardized tests, final exams, and end-of-term projects, all of which gauge the impact of the curriculum on student learning results. Thus, using summative assessment is appropriate for the type of evaluation being described.