An American educator who was examining the British educational system once asked a headmaster why so little standardized testing took place in British schools. " My dear fellow," came the reply, "In Britain we are of the belief that when a child is hungry, he should be fed, not weighed. "

Assessment Issues

Often student evaluation does not jive with progressive teaching strategies. 
(http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/assment/as7purp.htm)

Exams are mandatory for measuring success.

Alternative assessments (http://watson2.cs.binghamton.edu/~loland/portfolio5.html) accommodate student diversity.

Standardized testing stigmatizes students.

Assessment results are only as good as one ability to interpet them.

It is encumbant upon educators to accommodate every child.

Assessment methods should be appropriate for and compatable with the purpose and context of assessment.  (http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/assment/as7purp.htm)

Reporting is the making of a formal account of students from evidence and infomation collected in assessments, observations, conferencing and investigation.

Recording is the setting down in writing the actions or achievements of students for the purpose of providing students and parents with feedback, and to plan further instructional and learning activities.