4.1 Involving students in assessment

There are many ways in which teachers can involve students in assessment, for example by:

• sharing learning goals and assessment criteria with them
• helping them know and recognise the standards they are aiming for
• involving them in self-assessment
• providing feedback that helps them to recognise their next steps and how to take them
• both teacher and students reviewing and reflecting on assessment data.

Involving students in the assessment of their learning means encouraging them to review their work critically and constructively, and involving them in identifying the learning goals that they will work towards. Involving students like this has the potential to empower them and lead to a greater commitment to learning and progress. Students are more likely to understand the learning goals and assessment criteria if they are discussed and devised with them rather than if they are imposed.