CHAPTER 7 ASSESSMENTS
ASSESSING STUDENT LEARNING
I. MULTIPLE CHOICE (CHOOSE THE BEST RESPONSE.)
1. Assessment means finding out:
a. What students know and are able to do.
b. How students are likely to do on a test.
c. How to challenge students.
d. What the objectives will be for a unit.
2. Evaluation involves comparing a student’s present understanding with:
a. The other students in the class.
b. Their technological skills.
c. The unit goals in a textbook program.
d. The desired outcome of instruction.
3. Which of the following is NOT a purpose for assessment outlined in the text?
a. Student placement.
b. Behavioral modification.
c. Instructional planning.
d. Public accountability.
4. Instructional planning is the primary purpose of assessment for whom?
a. The parent.
b. The student
c. The teacher.
d. The principal.
5. What kind of assessments are conducted during instruction?
a. Diagnostic.
b. Summative.
c. Formative.
d. Creative.
6. Assessments should focus on:
a. Essential subject matter.
b. Facts and dates.
c. Resources taken from the community.
d. Student interests.
7. An assessment needs to capture:
a. The diverse characteristics of the students in the class.
b. The ten themes of social studies.
c. The scope and sequence of social studies.
d. What students are actually learning.
8. Most of the assessment done during social studies instruction involves:
a. Formal multiple-choice tests.
b. Informal methods and simple observation.
c. Paper and pencil tests.
d. Student self-assessment.
9. Performance assessments help the teacher:
a. Find out how well students can translate knowledge into action.
b. Plan for instruction in subsequent school years.
c. Allow students to create their own assessments.
d. Take a break from paper and pencil tests.
10. The author suggests that the work samples saved in social studies portfolios be:
a. Chosen by the teacher.
b. Related to essential learnings and desired outcomes.
c. Examples of handwriting.
d. Chosen for their quality of artwork.
II. SHORT ANSWER
1. Your text states that, “teachers are urged to use extreme caution when using test results for
placement purposes.” Why is such caution necessary? Please give more than one reason.
2. Define the concept that is labeled by the popular term “authentic assessment.” Then,
demonstrate your understanding of the concept by briefly explaining one way to assess students’
understanding of the Constitution that would be “authentic.”
III. EXTENDED RESPONSE
This chapter discussed several methods of assessment in some detail: informal assessment
techniques, paper-and-pencil tests, performance assessments, and portfolios. Choose a unit of
IV. DISCUSSION
Discuss the following issue with a group of classmates. Then, use one of the rubrics found in
Chapter 3 to assess your participation.
CHAPTER 7 ASSESSING STUDENT LEARNING