Evaluation is the process of making judgments based on criteria and evidence. The product is considered to be more than the sum of its parts and so the quality of a final product or performance is evaluated. Holistic scoring criteria might combine a number of elements on a single scale. Short answer items require students to furnish anything from words to a few sentences. A modification is an alteration of the assessment content or the assessment instrument.
Modifications affect the reliability and validity of the assessment.
No modifications of the Washington state-level assessments are allowed. Such assessment is often an ongoing observation over a period of time, and typically requires the student to finish products. The assessment may be a continuing interaction between teacher and student and should ideally be part of the learning process. The assessment should be a real-world performance with relevance to the student and learning community. Assessment of the performance is done using a scoring guide or rubric.