Snares and silver bullets: disentangling the construct of formative assessment

Abstract

This article explores the nature of formative assessment in a primary (elementary) language learning context. The research is situated in nine inner-city schools where an Early Years Intervention Project is being implemented to address problems of low levels of achievement in English, with specific reference to the language support of learners for whom English is an Additional Language.¹ School-based assessment data are presented and analysed in relation to the construct of formative assessment. It is argued that the distinctions between formative and summative assessment are not as straightforward as sometimes portrayed and that the interplay between reliability and validity for purposes of class-based assessment is highly complex.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Bachman, L. F. 1990: Fundamental considerations in language testing. Oxford: Oxford University Press .

Bachman, L. F. and Palmer, A. S. 1996: Language testing in practice. Oxford: Oxford University Press .

Gardner, S. and Rea-Dickins, P. 1999: Literacy and oracy assessment in an Early Years Intervention Project: the roles of English language stages. In O’Brien, T. , editor, Language and literacies, British Studies in Applied Linguistics, 14, Clevedon: British Association for Applied Linguistics in association with Multilingual Matters , 14-25.

Genesee, F. and Upshur, J. A. 1996: Classroom-based evaluation in second language education. New York: Cambridge University Press .

Harlen, W. and James, M. 1997: Assessment and learning: differences and relationships between formative and summative assessment . Assessment in Education 4, 365-379 .

Hughes, A. 1990: Testing for language teachers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press .

Rea-Dickins, P. , Gardner, S. and Clayton, E. 1998: Investigating the language assessment of learners with EAL. Unpublished report for Minority Group Support Services, Coventry City Council Education Service, University of Warwick .

Shohamy, E. 1998: Applying a multiplism approach. In Li, E. and James, G. , editors, Testing and evaluation in second language education. Hong Kong: Language Centre, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology .

Weir, C. J. 1993: Understanding and developing language tests. London: Prentice Hall International English Language Teaching .