Educational assessment goes beyond simply checking what students know; it mirrors our collective views on the nature, process, and goals of learning. Every assessment method is shaped by particular social beliefs, which can have significant and varied effects on students—sometimes positive, sometimes negative. Recognizing these underlying perspectives is essential for building an educational system that genuinely meets learners’ needs.

Traditional assessments—such as multiple-choice questions, timed tests, and standardized grading—are based on the idea that knowledge can be measured and compared objectively across large groups. These methods prioritize standardization and often focus on finding a single correct answer. As a result, they tend to emphasize memorization and the ability to recall information under pressure as the main signs of understanding. There’s also an assumption that these tools are the most efficient way to assess many students at once. This approach usually highlights individual performance, often at the expense of teamwork and alternative learning styles.

A portfolio assessment, by contrast, involves gathering a range of a student’s work over time, often including their own reflections on their progress and learning.

Analysis
Strengths: Encourages meaningful learning and self-reflection, offers a comprehensive picture of student abilities, demonstrates growth, increases student engagement, and supports multiple ways of showing learning.
Weaknesses: Demands considerable time from both students and teachers, can be difficult to grade consistently, is hard to standardize, and requires specialized training for educators.