Final answer:
Assessment is the term that describes the process of evaluating student progress and performance based on the curriculum and lessons presented, which helps teachers to support students and inform parents. This involves a variety of methods, including formative and summative assessments, as well as the debate on 'teaching to the test' versus fostering problem-solving skills.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process you're referring to is known as assessment. Assessments are integral to the learning and teaching process, as they evaluate student progress and performance against the curriculum and lessons presented. Teachers often use a variety of assessments to gauge student understanding, offering both formative and summative evaluations. Formative assessments, such as Grasp Checks and Check Your Understanding, allow teachers to monitor ongoing student comprehension, while summative assessments evaluate students' accumulated knowledge over a period, often leading to the assignment of letter grades.
Teaching to the test is a term that emerged from the accountability requirements of laws like the No Child Left Behind Act, where the focus is on preparing students for standardized tests. This method is often criticized for narrowing the curriculum at the expense of broader educational goals. In contrast, assessments that reinforce key concepts and offer practice problems aim to encourage not just factual recall but the development of problem-solving skills and a deeper understanding of material.
For example, after a unit of study, students might complete a Performance Task which challenges them to apply what they've learned in practical situations. This type of assessment not only demonstrates student mastery of content but also their ability to transfer knowledge and skills to new contexts.