Preassessment: a way to determine what students know about a topic before it is taught. It should be
used regularly in all curricular areas. Teachers can use the information gained in preassessment to make
instructional decisions about student strengths and needs. Preassessment will help the teacher determine
flexible grouping patterns as well as which students are ready for advance instruction.

Here are a few
examples of preassessment strategies:
Teacher prepared pretests
KWL charts and other graphic organizers
Writing prompts/samples
Questioning
Guess Box
Picture Interpretation
Prediction
Teacher observation/checklists
Student demonstrations and discussions
Initiating activities
Informational surveys/Questionnaires/Inventories
Student interviews
Student products and work samples
Self-evaluations
Portfolio analysis
Game activities
Show of hands to determine understanding: Every Pupil Response
Drawing related to topic or content
Standardized test information
ISM data
Anticipation journals

Websites that explain preassessment:

Wilmette District 39
Assessment Has Many Parts
Evidence of Knowledge/Skill (summative)
Preassessments (students - who they are and what they know)
Ongoing Assessments (formative)
http://www.wilmette39.org/DI39/assess.html

Differentiation Toolbox- Univeristy of Virginia
Assessment is simply a way to collect information about students at all stages of learning. Teachers pre-assess to find out what their students already know about a topic; they assess continuously throughout the unit to clarify misconceptions and steer instruction; as well as at the end of course of study in order to determine if students have reached the intended goals. Teachers in differentiated classrooms not only assess but they use that data to guide their thinking, to adjust instruction, and to ensure that they are providing meaningful and relevant curriculum.
http://www.people.virginia.edu/%7Emws6u/diff/assessment.htm

Montgomery County Public Schools
ACCELERATED AND ENRICHED INSTRUCTION
Powerpoint Presentation
http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/enriched/giftedprograms/Assessments.shtml

Creative Ways to Preassess
Pre-assessment allows the teacher and student to discover what is already known in a specific topic or subject. It is critical to recognize prior knowledge so students can engage in questioning, formulating, thinking and theorizing in order to construct new knowledge appropriate to their level. Ongoing assessment throughout the learning process is also critical as it directs the teacher and student as to where to go next. Several assessment techniques are described on the following web page.
http://wblrd.sk.ca/~consthighkm/how/preassessment.html

NAGC- National Association of Gifted Children
Preassessment: A Differentiation Power Tool
Catherine M. Brighton, Ph.D
Director, Institute on Academic Diversity
University of Virginia
http://www.nagc.org/default.aspx?id=191

The Role of Assessment
“It takes more proactive planning on my part, but the time invested will be returned with student growth.” --Hughes
http://www.smcm.edu/academics/edstudy/d7-Proj/Projects/ResearchSites/acbrowning/How/Assess.htm