Grading+Learning

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Primary purpose of grades is to communicate a summary of student **learning** at a particular point in time **Formative assessment** – students **learn and practice**. Key components of assesssments //**for** learning **(formative)** are:// Students should be assessed regularly but everything does not need a score and every score need not be included in the grade. Some student work must be for practice only and be returned to them accompanied by the kind of feedback that will help them do better the next time. Students understand this in band and sports, when practice is clearly identified and separate from an actual performance or game. But often it is not clear in the classroom. **Summative assessments** – students perform and show what they **know, understand, and can do – what they have learned**.
 * 1) Sharing the learning target with students from the beginning of the learning
 * 2) Making adjustments in teaching as a result of formative assessment
 * 3) Providing descriptive feedback to students from assessment
 * 4) Providing opportunites for students to self and peer assess so that they understand their strengths and what they need to do to improve