The importance and value of assessment can be properly discussed in two separate heads by taking into consideration the things and aspects like below -
A. Exercising overall control over the teaching-learning process
B. Helping in executing a number of functions or purposes
Let us discuss these aspects one by one.
All teaching is directed towards the welfare of the students and the welfare of the students lies in bringing desirable changes in their behaviour. Therefore a proper planning is made for bringing desirable changes in the behaviour of the students.
The task begins with the setting of proper teaching-learning objectives, i.e., the types of changes expected in the behaviour of the pupils. How these expected changes in the behaviour of the students may be introduced this becomes a 'focal point' for the further planning and organisation of teaching-learning activities.
Teacher and students both strive hard for the realization of the teaching-learning objectives with the help of subject matter and curriculum and various methodologies and strategies. To what extent the stipulated teaching-learning objectives have been realized is a basic question that needs to be answered from time to time. This can only be answered properly by an appropriate scheme of assessment.
So we can say that assessment provides the ways and means of exercising control over the total teaching-learning process.
Assessment of learning outcomes may be found to help in serving the following important functions -
The assessment measures tells the learners and teachers about the outcomes of their efforts which motivates an individual to continue his efforts in the right direction.
Also, assessment data is quite often used to provide incentives like appreciation, grades, stickers, certificates etc. Such incentives play a dual role firstly to motivate the individuals who recieves such incentives and secondly to others who take it a challenge for working effectively to get such incentives.
It helps in selecting students to various courses.
It helps in taking decision regarding promotion or retention of students, assigning grades, diplomas and degrees.
It helps decide regarding type and amount of guidance children need.
It helps in deciding the need of special or remedial education to children and the ways of providing it.
Provides feedback to students about their progress.
Provides feedback to teachers about the effectiveness of their models and strategies.
Provides unique information to parents in the form of grades, report cards, comments and remarks of the teachers.
Provides valuable information about working of a school to the general public.
Certify that a particular student has passed a learning course.
Grades (A+, A, A-, B+, B etc.) students regarding their level of performance in scholastic or non-scholastic areas.
Promoting a student to next class, level or standard of his learning.
Helps in choosing the captain of a team, monitor of a class and leading student in cultural activities.
Helps in the diagnosis of learning difficulties so that -
Guidance and counselling programs for needy students can be organized.
Special or remedial education for the needy students can be organized.
Helps in the formulation of the objectives for the teaching-learning process.
Helps in selection of learning experiences, syllabus and curriculum.
Helps in selection of teaching aids and strategies of teaching.
Helps in planning of remedial teaching, individual teaching, group activities and special teaching.