What is "authentic assessment"?

"Authentic assessment" involves evaluating students' ability to perform real-world tasks. It is an attempt to measure more directly whether students can perform well on intellectual tasks that are valued outside of the classroom. This is in contrast to indirect measures of student ability, such as multiple choice tests. Techniques range from portfolios to class projects to examinations that require students to respond to real world situations or tasks. For more information on authentic assessment, see ERIC resources or an article by Grant Wiggins.