Definition
A demonstration of the application of knowledge and skill to a problem or task that is found in the "real world," tailored to a specific audience, and assessed by clear standards/outcomes for success. (Also called a Performance Assessment).
Features
- Meaningful Assessment
Designer's Tips
"At the school level, it is important to define your approach to Performance-based Assessment or ""Performance Tasks"" as part of your overall Assessment Strategy. For example, will every instructional unit culminate in a performance task? What kinds of performance tasks are students expected to complete? What role do revision cycles play in the assessment process?
At the instructional level, note that the design of performance tasks -- and the many steps involved in designing the scaffolded learning experiences that engage and prepare students to successfully complete them -- is an advanced educator skillset. Depending on the experience and training of your team, you may want to consider sourcing a set of high-quality performance tasks as a provisional assessment bank until your team has received the training and support to design their own.
Also, remember the ultimate purpose of performance-based assessments is to create authentic learning opportunities for students that prepare them for the types of work products they will be expected to produce in college and in professional settings -- from defending claims to engaging in collaborative discussions; from giving multimedia presentations to solving complex problem sets. Be sure to communicate and reinforce this purpose and rationale to students. One creative way to do so is to create a scenario-based context for performance assessments that illuminates the value and relevance of the competencies being demonstrated through the task, while also exposing students to diverse career pathways.
reDesign's bank of content-neutral Performance Tasks provides guidance in developing high-quality, college-preparatory tasks that can be used with students in grades 4-12. Explore the Performance Task section of our Design Lab. "