Assessment approaches in statistics vary widely due to the range of purposes for engaging in a statistical investigation in different contexts, and to the needs of the student and teacher in terms of learning being monitored.
Assessment of statistical understanding may be related to:
- determining prior learning when introduced to new content
- monitoring the development of understanding during a sequence of activities
- making a summative decision about success on the completion of a statistical investigation.
The big ideas of statistics underpin all aspects of the assessment process.
Multi-part tasks can be split for specific aims or used as a whole to gain a more complete picture of students' understanding of a concept.
It is usual for students to complete tasks individually in writing, but task-based interviews may provide an opportunity for students to express their understanding more clearly.
Students may be asked to plan and carry out complete statistical investigations, which then can be used as a basis for assessment as written reports and/or oral presentations.
Rubrics are tools to assist in making judgments during the assessment process and are applicable across different types of assessment. They provide structure and reliability that gives both teachers and students confidence in the outcomes.
