What should be a primary focus when developing an assessment plan?

Aligning assessments with desired learning outcomes is essential because it ensures that the evaluations accurately measure the knowledge and skills that students are intended to acquire through instruction. When assessments are designed with clear connections to specific learning goals, they provide valid insights into whether learners have achieved the necessary competencies. This alignment also helps instructors identify gaps in understanding and can inform future teaching strategies, thereby enhancing the overall educational experience.

Setting assessments that reflect the objectives allows for more targeted feedback and fosters a learning environment where students know what is expected of them. This method supports the educational philosophy that assessment is not just a tool for grading but a means to facilitate student learning and growth. In contrast, focusing solely on cost, standardizing assessments without regard to context, or increasing the number of assessments can detract from this fundamental purpose, potentially leading to confusion or misalignment with the instructional goals.