Technology for School-Based Assessment and Assessment for Learning: Development Principles from New Zealand

Abstract

National assessment systems can be enhanced with effective school-based assessment (SBA) that allows teachers to focus on improvement decisions. Modern computer-assisted technology systems are often used to deploy SBA systems. Since 2000, New Zealand has researched, developed, and deployed a national, computer-assisted SBA system. Eight major principles for the development of an SBA system are derived from those experiences and outlined. These principles focus on curriculum alignment, calibration, innovative communication, choice, low consequences, and local control. Incremental design and deployment of computer technology ensures success. We argue that these principles can be used in any na..