Assessment vs Evaluation: what's the difference?
Assessment and evaluation are not the same. But, what are the differences between an assessment and evaluation in education. This article will describe both of these terms and outline the differences between them.
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What is an assessment?
What's the definition of assessment in education? Assessment is the systematic process of documenting and using empirical data to measure knowledge, skills, attitudes and beliefs. By taking the assessment, teachers try to improve the student's path towards learning. This is a short definition of assessment. If you want to read more about assessment, click on this link.
What is evaluation?
What's the definition of evaluation in education? Evaluation focuses on grades and might reflect classroom components other than course content and mastery level. An evaluation can be used as a final review to gauge the quality of instruction. It’s product-oriented. This means that the main question is: “What’s been learned?” In short, evaluation is judgmental.
Example:
You’re gifted a flower.
Evaluation: “The flower is purple and is too short with not enough leaves.”
Evaluation is judgmental
Assessment: “I’ll give the flower some water to improve its growth.”
Assessment increases the quality
Relationship between Assessment and Evaluation
Besides the differences, there are also some similarities between assessment and evaluation. The both require criteria, use measures and are evidence-driven.
So, what’s the difference?
Assessment Evaluation
Is ongoing Provides closure
Improves learning quality Judges learning level
Individualized Applied against standards
Ungraded Graded
Provides feedback Shows shortfalls
Process-oriented Product-oriented
Read more about assessment vs testing.
Useful resources
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Frequently asked questions
✔️ What is an assessment?
Assessment is the systematic process of documenting and using empirical data to measure knowledge, skills, attitudes and beliefs.
✔️ What is evaluation?
Evaluation focuses on grades and might reflect classroom components other than course content and mastery level.
✔️ What is the relationship between Assessment and Evaluation?
The both require criteria, use measures and are evidence-driven.
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