Assessing the Options: Considerations for Provision of Choice in Assessment

Allowing students to make choices (e.g., on the reading materials to read for an assignment) can contribute to creating learning environments that promote critical thinking, and intrinsic motivation among students. Given this potential that choice has to enhance instruction, it is reasonable to examine its potential as a contributor to enhanced assessment practices. The goal of this brief is to provide state and district education leaders and educators with some considerations about the possibilities and challenges in providing choice in assessment. It is organized into five sections: (1) Introduction; (2) Types of choice in assessment; (3) Choice in assessment: Goals and challenges; (4) Conclusions; and (5) Recommendations for education agencies and educators.