Summative Assessment
Summative assessment is comprehensive in nature, provides accountability and is used
to check the level of learning at the end of the program. For example, if upon completion
of a program students will have the knowledge to pass an accreditation test, taking the
test would be summative in nature since it is based on the cumulative learning
experience. Program goals and objectives often reflect the cumulative nature of the
learning that takes place in a program. Thus the program would conduct summative
assessment at the end of the program to ensure students have met the program goals
and objectives. Attention should be given to using various methods and measures in
order to have a comprehensive plan. Ultimately, the foundation for an assessment plan
is to collect summative assessment data and this type of data can stand-alone.
Formative assessment data, however, can contribute to a comprehensive assessment
plan by enabling faculty to identify particular points in a program to assess learning (i.e.,
entry into a program, before or after an internship experience, impact of specific courses,
etc.) and monitor the progress being made towards achieving learning outcomes.