What is Performance Based Assessment?
Performance Based Assessment is an educational philosophy and practice that challenges traditional grading systems and focuses on alternative methods of assessment and feedback. The term “ungrading” implies moving away from the traditional A-F letter grading system, which often reduces complex learning experiences to a simple score. Instead, Performance Based Assessment emphasizes more meaningful, holistic, and student-centered approaches to evaluating learning.
Key principles of performance based assessment include:
- Emphasis on Feedback and Reflection: Performance Based Assessment places a strong emphasis on providing constructive feedback and encouraging students to reflect on their learning journey. This helps students understand their strengths and areas for improvement in a deeper way than a simple letter grade can convey.
- Focus on Learning Process: Performance Based Assessment shifts the focus from the end result (the grade) to the process of learning. It encourages students to engage with the material, take risks, and explore their interests, rather than focusing solely on what will earn them the highest grade.
- Contractual Agreements: In some Performance Based Assessment practices, instructors and students collaborate to set clear expectations for the course and the criteria for assessment. This can involve negotiated goals, individualized projects, or other forms of personalized learning agreements.
- Self-Assessment and Peer Assessment: Performance Based Assessment often involves self-assessment and peer assessment, where students are involved in evaluating their own work and the work of their peers. This promotes a deeper understanding of the subject matter and a sense of responsibility for their own learning.
- Multiple Modes of Expression: Performance Based Assessment recognizes that students have diverse ways of demonstrating their understanding, and it encourages the use of various modes of expression, such as writing, presentations, creative projects, discussions, and more.
- Reduction of Grading Pressure: By removing the focus on traditional grades, Performance Based Assessment aims to reduce the stress and anxiety that can be associated with a grade-centered approach to education. This can create a more supportive and inclusive learning environment.
- Flexibility and Growth Mindset: Performance Based Assessment encourages a growth mindset, where mistakes and failures are seen as opportunities for learning and growth. It promotes the idea that education is a journey of continuous improvement rather than a quest for a particular grade.
- Inclusivity and Equity: Performance Based Assessment strives to create a more inclusive and equitable educational experience by recognizing the diverse backgrounds, learning styles, and experiences of students. It allows for more personalized and fair assessment practices.
It’s important to note that Performance Based Assessment doesn’t mean there is no evaluation or assessment; rather, the focus shifts from assigning traditional grades to a more holistic and learner-centered approach.
Performance-based assessment is an approach to evaluating a person’s skills, knowledge, and abilities by observing and measuring their actual performance in real-world tasks or situations. This type of assessment focuses on what individuals can do rather than what they know in a theoretical sense. It is often used in educational settings, job evaluations, and various professional contexts to gauge practical competencies.
Key characteristics of performance-based assessment include:
- Real-world tasks: Assessments are designed to reflect tasks or situations that individuals might encounter in their actual work or daily life.
- Application of skills and knowledge: Individuals are required to apply their knowledge and skills to solve problems, complete projects, or perform specific tasks.
- Authenticity: The assessment tasks closely resemble the types of activities individuals would encounter in the real world, making the assessment more authentic and meaningful.
- Demonstration of understanding: Rather than relying solely on written exams, performance-based assessments allow individuals to demonstrate their understanding of concepts through practical application.
- Feedback: Because performance-based assessments involve actual tasks, they often provide more concrete feedback to individuals about their strengths and areas for improvement.
Examples of performance-based assessments can include:
- Oral presentations: Assessing communication and presentation skills by having individuals speak on a topic.
- Project work: Evaluating problem-solving and collaboration skills through group or individual projects.
- Simulations: Creating scenarios that simulate real-world situations to assess decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
- Portfolios: Compiling a collection of work samples that showcase a person’s skills, accomplishments, and growth over time.
- Role-playing exercises: Evaluating interpersonal skills and the ability to navigate specific situations through role-playing scenarios.
Performance-based assessment is often contrasted with traditional assessment methods, such as multiple-choice exams, which primarily focus on assessing declarative knowledge (what someone knows). By emphasizing practical application, performance-based assessment aims to provide a more comprehensive and authentic measure of an individual’s abilities.