Assessment OF learning involves looking at assessment information at the end of the teaching and learning process to rank students’ achievement levels against a standard. It is summative in nature and typically involves standardized tests. Assessment OF learning scores are often used to rate teachers’ or schools’ ability to move student achievement based on the results of single, point-in-time tests — e.g., those generated by Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) or state tests.

Assessment FOR learning embeds assessment processes throughout the teaching and learning process to constantly adjust instructional strategy. While it can include test data, it also addresses other quantitative and even qualitative data, and even encompasses a great deal of anecdotal and descriptive data. Using NWEA in conjunction with teacher generated daily data (checks for understanding, exit tickets, observations of student engagement) to alter instructional strategy during lesson or unit delivery is an example of assessment FOR learning in action.