Evaluative (summative and formative) vs. Assessment

Isaac and Michael (1995) describe an assessment as the determination of, "what is and what needs to be" (p. 11). An evaluation is a determination of the outcome or end result. In other words, an assessment tells a teacher what a student knows and/or needs to know. An evaluation tells a teacher what the student has learned.

With these definitions in place, a summative evaluation is what is defined as a evaluation. A formative evaluation is akin to an assessment.

“When you assess your individual students, you gather information about their level of performance or achievement. Evaluation is comparing a student's achievement with other students or with a set of standards.” (http://www.teachervision.fen.com/assessment/new-teacher/48353.html) 

In a presentation by H. Stephen Straight (2002), two tables outline the the differences between assessment and evaluation along seven dimensions. ( assessment.binghamton.edu/documents/assessment_evaluation_straight.ppt)  As is evident from the table, evaluation is the final determination about the learning that took place. Evaluation can be seen as the determination a teacher arrives at to assign grades at the end of the grading period. (http://specialed.about.com/od/assessment/a/AandE.htm)

Assessment, on the other hand, is feedback to the student about the learning process.  It is a reflective activity to help a student determine what she/he knows or needs to work on. It is also a tool for the instructor to identify lesson modifications that may be indicated by the level and degree of learning students are evidencing. (http://specialed.about.com/od/assessment/a/AandE.htm)

Table 1

Difference between assessment and evaluation

Table 2

Distinction between formative and summative evaluation

As Table 2 outlines, formative and summative evaluation are quite different. As the name implies, formative evaluation is a cognitive activity that aims to clarify and guide learning.  Summative evaluation is the final determination of learning.

What is confusing is the overlap of terminology as terminology evolved. Formative evaluation is really the definition of assessment. While summative evaluation is the definition of evaluation.

References

About. Assessement, evaluation and final marks. Retrieved May 6, 2009, from http://specialed.about.com/od/assessment/a/AandE.htm

Isaac, S. and Michael, W.B. (1995). Handbook in Research and Evaluation. San Diego, CA: Educational and Industrial Testing Services.

Straight, S.H. (2002). The difference between assessment and evaluaiton. Retrieved May 6, 2009 from assessment.binghamton.edu/documents/assessment_evaluation_straight.ppt

Teacher Vision. Assessment vs. evaluation. Retrieved May 6, 2009, from http://www.teachervision.fen.com/assessment/new-teacher/48353.html