Exploring the Subjective Subject: Formative Assessment in Secondary English Language Arts

• In Event: Poster Session 17
  In Poster Session: Classroom Assessment: Current and Future Directions

Abstract

Formative assessment (FA) is a term encompassing all of the interactions that take place in a classroom between teachers and their students in order to improve student learning. FA is frequently studied in objective content areas, such as math and science, where learning progressions are linear, rather than subjective content areas, such as English language arts (ELA), where instruction and assessment are more amorphous and organic. This study explored secondary ELA teachers’ use of FA through self-report checklists and interviews to learn about FA practices used, decisions behind their use, and perceptions of their effectiveness. The findings of this study contribute empirical data to the study of FA in a content area that typically yields anecdotal evidence about classroom assessment.

Author

• Leigh M. Tolley, University of Louisiana at Lafayette