Assessment Acountability vs. Assessmnet for Improvement

Can Assessment for Accountability Complement Assessment for Improvement?

http://www.aacu.org/peerreview/pr-sp07/pr-sp07_analysis2.cfm

In this article those in the assessment community are asking each other, “Can assessment for accountability and assessment for improvement coexist? . . . .” The question is in part due to the circumstances of what is occurring in grades K-12. In some K-12 schools the curriculum has been narrowed to focus on the English and math to be tested, so less time is spent in science and social studies, and physical ed., art and music are no longer offered. In other words assessment is occurring for the mandated accountability measures so students are being taught what is tested and ignoring assessment measures to improve learning and teaching.
The article clearly articulates ways and means of instruction delivery, student engagement and purposeful meaningful assessments that enhance student learning and that create engaging classes. The curriculum at any level should not need to be narrowed to satisfy the accountability demands. As suggested in the examples, instructors must work together with stakeholders to make assessment for improvement and assessment for accountability complement, even strengthen one another.