Performance assessments are powerful educational tools designed to evaluate student progress and learning over time through the collection of their work. Performance assessments are either a product or performance that focuses on the application of targeted skills, that are usually defined in a Graduate Profile or Learner Portrait. This could include essays, projects, art, presentations, research, or other types of work related to the subject they are learning.
Rather than relying on traditional exams or one-time assessments that only test memory, portfolio-based tasks allow students to showcase their skills, reflect on their growth, and demonstrate mastery of various subjects. This approach places students in the “driver’s seat” of their learning, encouraging them to think critically about their goals and take ownership of their educational journey.
High Quality Performance Assessments
At Envision Learning Partners (ELP), we guide our partners in designing equitable and high-quality performance tasks and assessments by using ELP's High Quality Performance Assessments (HQPA) criteria. These criteria include eliciting evidence of learning that matters, establishing clear criteria for success, embracing diverse learner approaches, ensuring authenticity, and creating a learning experience in and of itself. We believe that this framework guarantees that all students receive rigorous and equitable learning opportunities, while also providing clear guidance to assessment designers. Learn more about HQPA in detail.
The portfolio defense here at Envision helped me gain all the confidence that I have. I can be proud of myself! – Envision Student
The Benefits:
Continuous Assessment: Unlike one-time tests, portfolios allow for ongoing assessment, where students can show incremental progress and improvement. This gives a fuller picture of their abilities and growth.
Reflection: Students are often asked to reflect on their work and learning process. This encourages self-assessment and critical thinking, helping them understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
Holistic View: Portfolio assessments focus on the overall learning journey, considering factors such as creativity, problem-solving skills, research ability, and more, rather than just memorization of facts. They also promote important life skills like self-reflection, organization, time management, and critical thinking.
Variety of Evidence: Portfolios can include a diverse range of student work. This could be written reports, videos, audio recordings, designs, or any other product that demonstrates learning. This flexibility helps accommodate different learning styles.
Student Agency: Portfolios allow students to take ownership of their learning. They can choose which pieces of work to include, giving them more control over how they present their learning journey. Portfolio tasks often reflect real-world challenges, preparing students for situations in which they’ll need to produce work, refine it, and communicate it effectively.
Teacher Feedback: Teachers can provide ongoing feedback throughout the portfolio creation process, helping students refine and improve their work as they progress.
“The high expectations here have made me stronger, more open minded, and aware of how to handle things and be ready for college.” – Envision Student
The Challenges:
While performance assessments offer many advantages, they also come with challenges. For example, they can be time-consuming for both students and teachers to compile. However, having the right systems in place can help alleviate this issue. Evaluating portfolios can also be subjective, depending on the criteria set by the teacher. Having clear rubrics can ensure fairness and consistency in grading.
In Summary:
Performance assessments (especially those that follow High Quality Performance Assessments criteria) are valuable tools in education, providing a more holistic, personalized approach to measuring student learning. They allow for reflection, growth, and the demonstration of real-world skills. When implemented well, they can foster deeper learning, encourage self-awareness, and promote essential skills for lifelong success.
“Performance assessment is just a fancy term for a simple concept: evaluating what you can do by observing you doing it.” – Transforming Schools: Using PBL, Performance Assessment, and Common Core Standards
About Envision Learning Partners
Our mission is to engage every student in America in a high-quality system of performance assessment that challenges them with rigorous, real-world tasks. By providing opportunities for revision and reflection along the way, students are empowered to realize their full potential and prepare them for success in college, career, and life. At ELP, we are dedicated to shaping an educational environment where every student can realize their dreams and create a better future. We believe assessment should be a tool for learning, not just sorting. Our goal is to build supportive school cultures where students have the agency to shape their own paths. Central to our commitment to equity, we empower school leaders of color, particularly Black leaders, to design and implement assessment systems that serve all students. By promoting inclusive leadership, we ensure every student has the chance to succeed. Learn more about ELP and find updates, upcoming events, interesting news, and free resources in our blog.
