Effective Educational Evaluation and Decision Making

Core Components of Evaluation

Evaluation: The process of delineating, obtaining, and providing useful information to judge alternatives and make decisions.

Process: A continuous and permanent method involving a series of operations.

Outline: The first important task is to plan the process of gathering the necessary information.

Information: Data is obtained from different sources using various tools (files, assignments, etc.). The variety and quantity of information are essential.

Useful Information: Collected data should be based on evaluation goals and expected decisions. It must maintain objectivity, validity, reliability, relevance, and timeliness.

Value Judgments: The information collected will be interpreted and compared with established standards of excellence. Thus, it is determined to what extent the situation meets expectations.

Decision: Decision-making defines how to proceed; a well-founded opinion leads to a better decision.

Assessment Over Time

Evaluation and Trial

Evaluation was historically considered a trial conducted by experts.

• Pros: Ease with which results are qualified; does not require sophisticated instruments.
• Disadvantages: It is subjective and lacks positive proof. The varying degrees of difficulty for the educator create doubts against the grade-range criteria; judges are only part of the teacher evaluation.

Evaluation and Measurement

This involves assigning numbers that express, in quantitative terms, the degree to which a learner possesses a particular characteristic.

• Advantages: Extracts necessary data to build reliability; handles large amounts of data.
• Disadvantages: It covers much of the scientific and mathematical fields, yet not everything can be mediated in the field of science.

Evaluation for Consistency

The comparison between the results achieved and the set objectives.

• Advantages: Seen in the teaching-learning process, it optimizes the quantity of learning.
• Disadvantages: As a terminal activity, it can be limiting.

Evaluation and Decision Makers

The process of delineating, obtaining, and providing information useful for testing alternatives and deciding.

• Advantages: Its application is wide and varied.

Characteristics of a Good Measuring Instrument

• Objectivity