Formal assessments
- have data which support the conclusions made from the test
- standardized measures
- data is mathematically computed and summarized
- Ex: scores such as percentiles, stanines, or standard scores are mostly commonly given
- Purpose: used to assess overall achievement, to compare a student’s performance with others at their age or grade, or to identify comparable strengths and weaknesses with peers
Informal assessments
- are not data driven but rather content and performance driven
- referred to as criterion referenced measures or performance based measures
- Ex: scores such as 10 correct out of 15, percent of words read correctly, and rubric scores
- Purpose: used to inform instruction
The most effective teaching is based on identifying performance objectives, instructing according to these objectives, and then assessing these performance objectives. Moreover, for any objectives not attained, intervention activities to re-teach these objectives are necessary.
Weaver, B. (n.d.). Formal vs. Informal Assessments. Retrieved from https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/formal-vs-informal-assessments/
Examples of Formal Assessments:
- Formal Oral Tests
- Long- and Short-Answer Tests
- Multiple Choice Formats
- Problem-Solving Test Style
- Observational Assessments and Monitoring
Stuart, J. (n.d.). Types of Formal Assessments in Education. Retrieved from http://classroom.synonym.com/types-formal-assessments-education-4208.html
Examples of Informal Assessments:
- Observation
- Anecdotal Records
- Running record
- Event sampling
- Time sampling
- Rating Scale
- Checklist
- Work sample
- Portfolio
- Interview
Excerpt from Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education, by G. R. Morrison, 2008 edition, p. 152.
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