FURTHER GUIDELINES ON FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

CBSE has published 12 Manuals for Teachers on Formative Assessment for

Classes   IX  &  X  in  Hindi‐A,   Hindi‐B,  English‐Communicative,   English‐Language   &

Literature, Mathematics, Science and Social Science.     All the Manuals are available

at  the  book   stores   of  the  Regional   Offices  and the   Head  Office  of  the  Board.

Details of the titles and price are given below:

1. Formative Assessment Teacher’s Manual ‐ Hindi A IX

2. Formative Assessment Teacher’s Manual ‐ Hindi A X

3. Formative Assessment Teacher’s Manual ‐ Hindi B IX

4. Formative Assessment Teacher’s Manual ‐ Hindi B X

5. Formative Assessment Teacher’s Manual ‐ English IX

6. Formative Assessment Teacher’s Manual ‐ English X

7. Formative Assessment Teacher’s Manual ‐ Mathematics IX

8. Formative Assessment Teacher’s Manual ‐ Mathematics X

9. Formative Assessment Teacher’s Manual ‐ Social Science IX

10. Formative Assessment Teacher’s Manual ‐ Social Science X

11. Formative Assessment Teacher’s Manual ‐ Science IX

12. Formative Assessment Teacher’s Manual ‐ Science X

145.00

145.00

145.00

145.00

204.00

185.00

130.00

125.00

110.00

95.00

100.00

120.00

    CBSE had already sent two circulars on Formative Assessment ‐ CIRCULAR NO.

36  dated   27.07.2010 and  CIRCULAR  NO.  58  dated   03.09.2010.   You  are

requested to read these circulars again and discuss their content with your

teachers.

You are   advised   to  procure  the  Manuals  and provide    one  copy  to  each

subject teacher of classes IX and X.       Also please keep one complete set with you

for reference.     Kindly discuss all the issues raised in the Manuals in the subject

committees of your school to ensure clarity on the modalities and concepts with

regard to Formative Assessment.      It is essential that a comprehensive annual plan

of Formative Assessment is prepared at the beginning of the academic session.

From the feedback received from schools, it is seen that some schools are

treating    Formative     Tasks     more   as   tests    rather    than      tools    for   improving     the

teaching‐learning       process.       Some    guidelines     are   given   below    to   help   teachers

implement Formative Assessment in its true sprit:

1.     Formative Assessment should be used as         an opportunity for the teacher

to   consult parents at least twice             in each term, i.e.,        after each Formative

Assessment so that the strengths and weaknesses of every student can be

discussed and efforts are made to address the gaps in learning.              In such

meetings the student’s views should also be obtained so that it becomes a

fruitful dialogue between the student, the teacher and the parent.

2.    Every   Formative    Assessment    must    be   followed   by   diagnosis    of   the

difficulties faced by students.       It means that Formative Assessment must

be diagnostic in     nature so that    suitable   remedial   measures are   taken  to

ensure improvement.

3.    FA 1, FA 2, FA 3, and FA 4 should not be based on only one task.        Every such

assessment should make use of two or more tasks ensuring variety such as

role play, practical work, presentations, projects, worksheets etc.

4.   It is to be borne in mind that all the Formative Assessment tasks need not

be meant   for  assessment.    Some  may be used   purely for  teaching and

some for assessment.

5.    If many tasks are used for any one formative assessment, the best grades

obtained by a student may be taken for recording.           It means that grades

need not be given on the basis of identical tasks for all.       It will help us cater

to   multiple   intelligences   besides  enabling   every  student   to   tap  her/  his

strengths.

6.    Formative   Assessment   should   help   us   to  make   the   teaching  ‐  learning

process enjoyable for all     students.   So it is essential that we follow a child‐

friendly approach to assessment.