What is one of the various purposes of assessment in education?

Documenting growth serves as a fundamental purpose of assessment in education. This approach allows educators to measure a student's progress over time, highlighting areas of improvement and identifying specific learning needs. By documenting growth, teachers can provide targeted support and adjust instruction to better meet students' individual needs, particularly in a gifted education setting where differentiation is key. This data not only reflects the effectiveness of instructional strategies but also informs future teaching practices and curricular decisions.

Minimizing stress for students, standardizing all academic programs, and reducing the number of assessments focus on different aspects of the educational experience but do not capture the primary essence of assessment as a tool for fostering student development and success. Effective assessment should ultimately aim to inform and enhance learning rather than simply adhere to programmatic or administrative efficiencies.