Final answer:
Differentiated assessment is not unfair; it's a tool to ensure equitable education for all students by accommodating individual needs. This approach aligns with educational philosophies that advocate for equity by supporting diverse student abilities. The statement in question is therefore false.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement suggests that it would be unfair to differentiate assessment to meet students' various needs and that all should be held accountable for the same rigorous outcomes. This is False. Differentiated assessment is actually a way to ensure that all students are able to demonstrate their learning in a manner that is appropriate to their abilities and needs. For example, accommodations may be made for students with disabilities during standardized testing, as seen in the No Child Left Behind Act, which aimed for these students to work toward the same standards with the necessary support. Moreover, the idea of providing equal education and not wasting anyone's skills, as seen in the Finnish education system, underscores the importance of tailoring education, which includes assessment, to individual needs to achieve equity.
Assessment practices should reflect the goal of equity in education, as posited in various educational philosophies and policies. Though maintaining academic integrity and holding students to high standards are essential, adjusting assessments to suit diverse student needs can promote fairness and genuine learning. In practice, this could involve varying the types of assessment used, offering different ways for students to demonstrate their understanding, or modifying the assessment conditions.