PERFORMANCE-BASED ASSESSMENT

FRANCES JOANNA DE LEON-ABUAN

Performance-based testing is testing that corresponds directly to what is taught in the classroom. Performance-based testing procedures can easily be incorporated into classroom routines and learning activities. Methods for performance assessment can be divided into two main type: structured(e.g. test, checklist, observations,r ating scales, questionnaires, structured interviews) and unstructured(e.g., student work samples, journals, games, debates, story retelling, anecdotal reports, and behavioral notes).

Students may be assessed through structured means such as teacher designed examination that are intended to be scored quickly. Questionnaires and surveys can help teachers to learn about many students’skills and interest at once. An observation checklist allows teachers to circulate among students while they are working and monitor specific skills. The advantage of structured assessment is its speed and standard means of scoring.

Unstructured assessment, on the other hand, has been criticized for being time consuming, labor-intensive, imprecise, and subjective even though much effort is put into developing acceptable, concurrence among assessors. Despite these difficulties, unstructured assessment can furnish valuable information about students’abilities. One way currently being employed to keep students records is in portfolios. Using a combination of formal and informal assessments provides a crosscheck of student capabilities. (Rico, Weed) — oOo—

The author is SST I (Physical Education, Health and Music) at Gutad National High School, Floridablanca, Pampanga