{"product_id":"testing-times-the-uses-and-abuses-of-assessment-essential","title":"Testing Times: The Uses and Abuses of Assessment - Essential","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Testing Times: The Uses and Abuses of Assessment the bottom line is clear: this book is for educators, policy makers and anyone concerned with how assessment shapes learning. Gordon Stobart offers a thoughtful, critical examination of common assessment practices and why their good intentions often produce negative consequences. The single biggest reason to read it is Stobart's sustained argument that assessment can and should encourage \u003cstrong\u003edeeper learning\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than shallow test-focused study, making it a practical and conceptual resource for rethinking assessment purpose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCritical analysis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stobart dissects five high-profile assessment issues to show where current practice undermines meaningful outcomes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClear argument:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book explains why the \u003cstrong\u003epurpose of assessment\u003c\/strong\u003e must be explicit before its fitness for purpose can be judged.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on learning:\u003c\/strong\u003e It argues convincingly that formative approaches can support deeper understanding when designed and used well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoverage of accountability:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stobart addresses how accountability systems and the diploma disease distort teaching priorities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePractical implications:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book offers foundations for generating assessments that encourage valid evidence of learning.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is primarily aimed at school leaders, curriculum designers and educational researchers who need a rigorous framework for thinking about assessment policy and classroom practice. Those who work on national testing, school accountability or assessment design will find the sections on intelligence testing, formative assessment and the diploma disease especially relevant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTeachers and professional development leads seeking principles for classroom assessment will benefit, but readers looking for step-by-step classroom activities or an introductory primer for parents may want a more practice-focused handbook alongside Stobart's theoretical critique.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides a coherent critique linking assessment purpose to its effects on learning and schooling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAddresses multiple prominent topics - intelligence testing, learning skills and formative assessment - in one volume.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUseful for informing policy debates and professional reflection on assessment design.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe book is more analytical than prescriptive, so readers seeking detailed classroom tools may find it limited.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTesting Times: The Uses and Abuses of Assessment\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGordon Stobart\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus areas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntelligence testing, learning skills, accountability, diploma disease, formative assessment\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary theme\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReclaiming assessment to encourage deeper learning\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCritical examination of assessment purpose and fitness for purpose\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTesting Times is a thoughtful, well-argued book that belongs on the shelf of anyone shaping assessment policy or professional development. It is good value for readers who need a conceptual framework tying assessment practices to learning outcomes, even if those seeking ready-made classroom tools will need additional resources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book offer classroom assessment techniques?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. The book is mainly analytical and offers principles rather than detailed classroom step-by-step techniques.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich assessment topics are covered?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. Stobart examines intelligence testing, learning skills, accountability, the diploma disease and formative assessment in depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho will benefit most from this book?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. School leaders, curriculum developers and educational researchers will get the most value from its critique and frameworks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gordon Stobart","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48765843964123,"sku":"0415404746","price":209.13,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/41rxmpKdT8L._SL1360.jpg?v=1778575462","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/testing-times-the-uses-and-abuses-of-assessment-essential","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}