THIS INSTALLMENT OF SCHOOLS THAT WORK WAS PRODUCED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DIGITAL LEARNING GROUP . © 2011 | THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Finding a Balance Assessment for me has two sides: what learners need to learn based on tests or exams and the skills that are equally important though less explicit in exam-terms. Whilst these should balance, there is a dichotomy at play. Stiggens, R. & Chappius, J. (2006) differentiate between assessment OF learning , which maps onto the first point above, and is assessment for grading, reporting and accountability purposes; and assessment FOR learning , which is more the latter point, and helps students learn and become engaged in self improvement. Both are important, though too often, stakeholders want results from external exams and this can often be at the expense of real learning. Life-long Learning Assessment is not an end in itself but a vehicle for educa...