Some assessment styles might not work with all learners. For example, some disabled learners may find writing an essay difficult, but can produce a video easily.
Innovative internal assessment allows learners to produce the same level of high-quality work, but in a format and at a time that suits them.
Innovative internal assessment is about flexible, accessible and equitable (fair) education for learners.
Innovative assessment fits with NZQA goals, which are to have:
- learners at the centre of education
- barrier-free access for all learners to great education
- quality teaching and leadership
- learning relevant to Aotearoa New Zealand today and in the future.
On this page
Types of innovative assessment
Innovative internal assessment might include learners having a choice over:
- the context of their assessment
- how best to demonstrate their knowledge
- how they hand in their work, whether it is done over time or at a set event
- when they are ready to be assessed, rather than waiting for a set event.
Innovative assessment improves communication between learners and teachers.
It also supports students with barriers to learning. For example, a learner with dyslexia may need more time to complete a project than other learners in the class.
Evidence for assessment
Different types of evidence can be gathered for assessment.
Examples of evidence include:
- oral, for example, pepeha
- digital, for example, a website
- performance
- practical, for example, changing the oil of a car
- portfolio, for example, a collection of art
- written, for example, a report.
Assessment can be:
- ongoing and integrated with learning
- naturally occurring
- gathered through observations and checklists.
Evidence must be authentic, able to be verified, and meet the requirements of the standard.
How NZQA supports innovative internal assessment
NZQA visited schools using innovative internal assessment to learn how we can best support them.
As a result, we developed online internal assessment workshops. These are available through our assessor support hub, Pūtake:
Assessor support workshops (external link)
We continue to visit schools to make sure our systems are not a barrier to innovative assessment.
Assessment case studies
Teachers, learners and school management explain how innovative assessment can increase learner engagement.