Recommend a type of continuous assessment that could assist the teacher in identifying basic skills that progressing learners have, so that they can plan accordingly.

One type of continuous assessment that could assist the teacher in identifying basic skills that progressing learners have is formative assessment. Formative assessment involves ongoing, informal assessments that provide feedback to both the teacher and the student on their progress and understanding of the material. This could include quizzes, exit tickets, observations, and discussions that focus on the specific basic skills that the teacher wants to assess. By using formative assessment, the teacher can quickly identify which basic skills the progressing learners have mastered and which skills they may need additional support with. This information can then be used to inform the teacher's planning and instruction, ensuring that they are meeting the needs of all learners in the classroom.

Diagnostic Assessment

Purpose: To assess learners' current level of knowledge and skills in specific subject areas at the beginning of an instructional unit or course.

Benefits:

- Identifies areas where learners need additional support.
- Helps teachers plan targeted instruction that addresses individual learner needs.
- Facilitates ongoing monitoring of learner progress.

Methods:

- Quizzes: Short, timed assessments that cover key concepts.
- Checklists: Lists of skills or knowledge that learners must demonstrate.
- Projects: Small-scale assignments that allow learners to apply their knowledge and skills.
- Observation: Watching learners engage in activities and tasks to assess their skills.

Implementation:

1. Identify target skills: Determine the basic skills that learners are expected to have acquired at the beginning of the unit.
2. Create assessment tool: Develop quizzes, checklists, projects, or observation rubrics that align with the target skills.
3. Administer assessment: Give the assessment to all learners at the beginning of the unit.
4. Analyze results: Review the assessment data to identify areas where learners have mastered skills and areas where they need further support.
5. Plan instruction: Use the assessment results to plan differentiated instruction that meets the specific needs of each learner.

Example:

In a math class, a teacher could administer a diagnostic quiz at the beginning of a unit on fractions. The quiz could assess basic skills such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions. The results would help the teacher identify learners who need additional support in these areas and plan accordingly.