Five Strategies For Student Self-Assessment

In this insightful reflection, ELL teacher Larry Ferlazzo revisits a British Council–published piece (2016) highlighting why and how student self-assessment can significantly enhance agency, motivation, and learning. These strategies, though time-consuming, build strong classroom ownership and growth mindset by having students evaluate, reflect, and set goals for their own progress.


🎯 1. Word Splashes

At the start of a unit, students receive a list of key vocabulary and indicate:

  • Know it,

  • Heard it/might know,

  • Don’t know.

At the end, they repeat the assessment and compare the two versions. This visual approach helps students and teachers see growth and reinforces vocabulary retention.


🧠 2. “What I Know” Writing Prompt

Before a unit, students write everything they already know about the topic (e.g., Jamaica, natural disasters). After the unit, they revisit their initial responses and contrast them with their newfound knowledge. This shows how much they’ve learned and enhances metacognition.


✍️ 3. Writing Improvement Rubric

Students collect two writing samples—early and later in the term—and use an improvement rubric to self‑evaluate. They reflect on strengths, identify improvement areas, and articulate next steps. This guided reflection encourages strategic writing development.


🏁 4. Goal‑Setting

Ferlazzo supports students to set realistic, teacher‑guided goals at the term’s start. Throughout, they monitor progress and adjust goals as needed. This regular check-in cultivates motivation, ownership, and a growth mindset mindset .


🧮 5. Self‑Grading

Using structured self‑assessment forms, students propose end-of-term grades. Ferlazzo agrees with them around 80% of the time, sometimes increasing the grade, and the rest he addresses through one-on-one conferences. This transparency builds trust and teaches students to advocate for themselves .


✨ Key Benefits for Educators

  • Builds student agency & accountability: Students become partners in their learning journey.

  • Encourages metacognition: Reflecting on what and how they learn fosters independence.

  • Supports growth mindset: Comparing early and later work highlights observable progress.

  • Enhances communication: Teacher-student conferences clarify grading and strengthen relationships.

  • Empowers ELLs & diverse learners: These tools offer multiple, accessible pathways to self-assessment.


🔧 Considerations for Implementation

  • Time investment: Guides and one-on-one discussions require extra teacher time.

  • Scaffolding is essential: Clear tools and structured support are crucial for student success.

  • Flexibility is key: Adjust these strategies based on student profiles and needs.

  • Integration into routines: Scheduling regular reflection leads to consistent use and benefit.


📝 Classroom Tips

  • Create and share Word Splash handouts with simple, student-friendly categories.

  • Use initial knowledge checks to anchor reflection at the end of a unit.

  • Develop a clear and concise Improvement Rubric focusing on key writing criteria.

  • Hold short weekly goal-setting sessions and monitor progress regularly.

  • Offer self-grading forms with clear criteria and organize follow-up conferences.


🎓 Final Thoughts

Self‑assessment isn't a shortcut—it demands planning, monitoring, and individualized support. However, the payoff is significant: learners develop confidence, initiative, and clarity about their growth. As Carol Dweck’s work underscores, when students actively see their learning journey, they build resilience and the belief that effort leads to improvement. Through strategic feedback, goal-setting, and reflection, self-assessment becomes a cornerstone of effective, student-centered instruction.

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com

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