What is Authentic Assessment?

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Too often the term "rigorous measurement" gets equated with traditional testing. Jon Mueller has an extensive website Links to an external site. about what he calls 'authentic assessment'. He defines authentic assessment as,

"A form of assessment in which students are asked to perform real-world tasks that demonstrate meaningful application of essential knowledge and skills."

Authentic assessments are the manifestation of 'experience', 'reflection', 'action' and 'evaluation' in the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm. We consider assessments to be authentic when they are:

  • Performance-based: Challenges learners to show what they can do, along with what they know.
  • Integrative: Requires learners to pull together skills and knowledge from multiple areas.
  • Useful: Motivates learners to improve in the areas where they are weakest.
  • Relevant: References the learner’s situation and life experiences.
  • Evaluative: Solicits the learner to participate in the evaluation process.

That is a lot to remember so it may be easier to hone it all down to the question you will find on the next page.