Establishing and Using an Assessment Framework

An assessment framework in a school is a set of guidelines or principles that provide a systematic approach to assessing student learning and achievement. It is a tool that educators use to design, implement and evaluate assessment practices in a consistent and standardised manner.

An assessment framework typically includes a set of assessment goals, learning outcomes, assessment methods, and criteria for evaluating student work. These elements are designed to help educators determine what students know and can do and to provide them with feedback on their progress and areas for improvement.

Assessment frameworks can be used at various levels of a school’s practice, from individual classrooms to the entire educational system. They are used to ensure that assessments are valid, reliable and fair and measure what students are expected to know and be able to do.

Assessment Frameworks also include the elements of feedback and reporting. Evidence from research and analysis of effective practice clearly demonstrates the benefits of best practices in Assessment, Feedback and Reporting. Very few students are able to develop themselves to their potential without feedback. Feedback should be structured and timely, and this occurs within an Assessment Framework. This feedback, via assessment, should be reported. If each of these elements is done in alignment, effectively and efficiently, the gains are immense. Both for student outcomes, but also teacher and parent satisfaction.

If each of these elements is done in alignment, effectively and efficiently, the gains are immense. Both for student outcomes, but also teacher and parent satisfaction.

Overall, assessment frameworks provide a structured approach to assessment that can help ensure students receive a high-quality education, one defined by each achieving close to theory potential.