What type of assessment focuses on the overall outcomes of a program?

• A. Formative Assessment
• B. Authentic Assessment
• C. Summative Assessment
• D. Criterion Referenced Assessment

Answer: (C)

Summative assessment is geared towards evaluating the overall outcomes of a program after a certain period of instruction or intervention. This type of assessment typically occurs at the end of a course or program and is designed to measure the extent to which the learning objectives have been met. It helps in determining the effectiveness of the instructional strategies and whether the goals set for the program have been achieved.

For example, in a physical education setting, a summative assessment might involve a final project, exam, or performance evaluation that assesses students’ skills, knowledge, and overall development at the completion of a unit. This allows educators to gather data that informs decisions regarding program improvements and curriculum design moving forward. In contrast, formative assessment is ongoing and focuses on the process of learning during instruction and is meant to guide immediate teaching adjustments. Authentic assessments emphasize real-world application of skills rather than just theoretical knowledge. Criterion-referenced assessments compare a student's performance to a predetermined standard rather than to the performance of other students.