We are trying to get a handle on whatever it is we are assessing so we can better understand and better interpret. Another thing that came up over and over was that to assess implied an authoritative judgment, either in the sense we have an authority to make the judgment, or that the judgment was highly reliable. The definition of the word evaluate suggested an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms of something other than money. It also implies a considered judgment in ascertaining value. This is an important issue to keep in mind.
Assessment of learning takes a lot of time and goes beyond putting together a multiple choice test.
The word rate was typically defined as determining or estimating a rank or grade. It is an inexact judgment. The word appraise stresses expert judgment or critical analysis. Dr. Clegg mentioned that this is the word she is the most comfortable using. She said the most important thing we want to know is whether or not our students have learned what we want them to learn.