Investigation of Teachers’ Beliefs About Classroom Assessment

Hasan Şahin, Cihad Şentürk

Abstract


This study examined teachers’ beliefs about classroom assessment using a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design. Participants were primary, middle, and high school teachers in public schools in Karaman, Türkiye, during the 2024–2025 academic year. Data were collected through the Classroom Assessment Beliefs Scale and semi-structured interviews. The findings indicated that teachers were undecided about traditional assessment but strongly supported alternative, student-centered approaches. No significant differences were observed with respect to gender or subject taught. However, undergraduate teachers and those with 16–20 years of experience reported stronger traditional beliefs, while graduate teachers and those with 1–5 years of experience reported stronger alternative beliefs. Middle school teachers reported stronger traditional beliefs than did primary and high school teachers. Qualitative results indicated that while teachers valued alternative assessment, implementation was hindered by time limitations, large classes, curriculum intensity, lack of materials, student-related challenges, and the dominance of centralized exams. It is recommended that curricula and national examinations be revised to better align with alternative assessment approaches.


Full Text:

PDF

References


Acar, M., & Buldur, S. (2021). High stakes tests through the eyes of science teachers: Positive and negative impacts. Anadolu Journal of Educational Sciences International, 11(1), 390-414. https://doi.org/10.18039/ajesi.758369

Aksoy, A. G. (2018). İlkokul ve ortaokul öğretmenlerinin alternatif ölçme araçları öz yeterliklerinin incelenmesi [Examination of primary and secondary school teachers' self-efficacy about altenative measurement tools] [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Süleyman Demirel University.

Aksu Dünya, B. (2021). Tamamlayıcı/alternatif ölçme ve değerlendirme araç ve yöntemleri [Complementary/alternative assessment tools and methods]. A. Taşgın (ed.), Eğitimde ölçme ve değerlendirme [Assessment in education] içinde (ss. 95-122). Vizetek Publications.

Alnıaçık, S. (2025). Ortaokul öğretmenlerinin ölçme değerlendirme ve liseye geçiş sistemine yönelik görüşleri [Secondary school teachers’s on the assessment and evaluation and high school transition system] [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Atatürk University.

Al-Nouh, N. A., Taqi, H. A., & Abdul-Kareem, M. M. (2014). EFL primary school teachers’ attitudes, knowledge and skills in alternative assessment. International Education Studies, 7(5), 68-84. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v7n5p68

Altan, M. Z. (2017). Standartlaştıran, tek tipleştiren, zarar veren ve mutsuzluğa açılan kapı: TEOG [Standardizing, homogenizing, harmful, and a gateway to unhappiness: TEOG]. Eğitime Bakış: Eğitim-Öğretim ve Bilim Araştırma Dergisi, 13(40), 4-14.

Anderson, R. S. (1998). Why Talk About Different Ways to Grade? The Shift from Traditional Assessment to Alternative Assessment. New directions for Teaching and Learning, 74, 5-16. https://doi.org/10.1002/tl.7401

Arduç, M. A. (2024). Comparison of the Ministry of National Education common written exam and the teacher written exam and teacher opinions. EKEV Academy Journal, 99, 234-249. https://doi.org/10.17753/sosekev.1483026

Atasoy, R., & Yalçın, M. T. (2023). Team innovativeness, teachers’ professional practices, and teachers’ instructional practices: testing a mediation model. Türk Akademik Yayınlar Dergisi (TAY Journal), 7(3), 972-997. https://doi.org/10.29329/tayjournal.2023.610.11

Auerbach, C. F., & Silverstein, L. B. (2003). Qualitative data: An introduction to coding and analysis. New York University Press.

Avan, Ç., Akbaş, V., & Gülgün, C. (2019). The attitudes of the teachers towards assessment and evaluation: Kastamonu sample. Gazi Journal of Education Sciences, 5(3), 20-31. https://doi.org/10.30855/gjes.2019.05.03.002

Ayden, C., & Gündoğdu, G. (2022). Social e-health readiness measurement tool: An exploratory sequential mixed methods study. Hacettepe Journal of Health Administration, 25(3), 533-548.

Azili, E., & Tutkun, Ö. F. (2021). Advantages and limitations of the secondary education center exam (SECE) according to the opinions of middle school teachers. Journal of Social Research and Behavioral Sciences, 7(13), 123-146.

Bağrıaçık, G. (2025). Bilişim teknolojileri öğretmenlerinin ölçme değerlendirme okuryazarlık durumlarının çeşitli değişkenler açısından incelenmesi [Investigation of information technologies teachers’ measurement assessment literacy status in terms of various variables] [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Gazi University.

Bakırcı, H., Şevgin Uçar, E., & Genel, Y. (2024). Teachers’ opinions on the application of open-ended questions in science lesson evaluations. International Journal of the Pursuit of Excellence in Education (IJPEE), 4(1), 1-12.

Barbour, R., & Schostak, J. (2005). Interviewing and focus groups. In B. Somekh & C. Lewin (Eds.), Research methods in the social sciences (pp. 41–48). Sage Publications.

Barçin, İ. (2019). Türkçe öğretmenlerinin ölçme ve değerlendirme sürecini uygulama ve önemseme düzeyleri üzerine bir araştırma (Bitlis ili örneği) [A study on the levels of implementation and assessment of measurement assessment process of turkish teachers the case of Bitlis province]. [Unpublished master’s thesis] Yüzüncü Yıl University.

Baş, G., & Beyhan, Ö. (2016). Examination of teachers’ self-efficacy perceptions on educational measurement and evaluation in terms of some variables. Journal of Measurement and Evaluation in Education and Psychology, 7(1), 18-32.

Bayat, S., & Şentürk, Ş. (2015). Physics, chemistry, biology teachers’ views on alternative assessment and evaluation techniques in secondary school. Amasya Education Journal, 4(1), 118-135.

Bayram, E. (2011). The examination of qualifications of teachers for assessment and evaluation [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Hacettepe University.

Black, P., & Wiliam, D. (2009). Developing the theory of formative assessment. Educational Assessment, Evaluation and Accountability, 21, 5–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11092-008-9068-5

Black, P., & Wiliam, D. (1998). Inside the black box: Raising standards through classroom assessment. Phi Delta Kappan 80(2), 139-144. https://doi.org/10.1177/003172171009200119

Blake, J. E. (2012). High-Stakes testing: A (mis)construed, normalizing gaze. International Journal of Educational Policies, 6(1), 5-23.

Brookhart, S. M. (2013). Grading and group work: How do I assess individual learning? Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Brookhart, S. M. (2011). Educational assessment: Principles and practices for effective standards-based instruction (6th ed.). Pearson.

Brookhart, S. M., & Durkin, D. T. (2003). Classroom assessment, student motivation, and achievement in high school social studies classes. Applied Measurement in Education,16, 27-5. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15324818AME1601_2

Buldur, S., & Acar, M. (2019). Middle school teachers’ views about high-stakes tests. Kastamonu Education Journal, 27(1), 319-330. https://doi.org/10.24106kefdergi.2543

Büyüköztürk, Ş., Çakmak, E. K., Akgün, Ö. E., Karadeniz, Ş. & Demirel, F. (2019). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemleri [Scientific research methods]. Pegem Akademi Publications.

Cauley, K. M., & McMillan, J. H. (2010). Formative assessment techniques to support student motivation and achievement. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, 83(1), 1-6. https://www.doi.org/10.1080/00098650903267784

Chan, K. W., & Elliott, R. G. (2004). Relational analysis of personal epistemology and conceptions about teaching and learning. Teaching and Teacher Education, 20(8), 817-831. https://doi.org/

1016/j.tate.2004.09.002

Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.

Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.

Çardak, Ç. S. (2018). Attitudes of prospective teachers towards measurement and assessment course: Anadolu University example. Adiyaman University Journal of Social Sciences, 10(29), 401-453.

Çetin, A., & Ünsal, S. (2019). Social, psychological effects of central examinations on teachers and their reflections on teachers’ curriculum implementations. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, 34(2), 304-323. https://www.doi.org/10.16986/HUJE.2018040672

Demir, G., & Akyürek, S. (2025). The use of alternative measurement tools by Imam Hatip high school vocational course teachers and the problems they face. Journal of Erciyes Academy, 39(2), 499-523.

Deniz, B. F. (2023). 12. sınıf matematik öğretmenlerinin yapılandırmacı ölçme-değerlendirme tekniklerini kullanabilme yeterliklerinin Metfessel-Michael program değerlendirme modeline göre değerlendirilmesi [The evaluation of the qualifications of 12th grade mathematics teachers to use constructive assessment and assessment techniques according to Metfessel-Michael program evaluation model] [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University.

Duran, U. (2017). Sınıf öğretmenlerinin alternatif ölçme değerlendirme yöntemlerinin kullanımına ilişkin öz yeterlik algılarının incelenmesi [The reviev of self-efficacy perceptions of classroom teachers regarding using alternative assessment methods] [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Gaziantep University.

Eker, G., & Yıldırım, Y. (2025). Developmental assessment practices in early childhood education: An analysis of teacher approaches and strategies. International Journal of Modern Education Studies, 9(1), 249-271. https://doi.org/10.51383/ijonmes.2025.423

Evin Gencel, İ., & Özbaşı, D. (2013). Investigating prospective teachers’ perceived levels of competence towards measurement and evaluation. Elementary Education Online, 12(1), 190-201.

Ghania, O., & Mokhtar, K. (2018). Teachers’ perceptions of classroom assessment practices in the Algerian primary school. Journal of Translation and Languages, 17(1), 93-102. https://doi.org/

52919/translang.v17i1.550

Green, S. K., Johnson, R. L., Kim, D. H., & Pope, N. S. (2007). Ethics in classroom assessment practices: Issues and attitudes. Teaching and Teacher Education, 23(7), 999-1011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2006.04.042

Göğebakan, A. (2025). Beden eğitimi ve spor öğretmenlerinin alternatif ölçme değerlendirme yöntem ve araçlarını kullanma düzeyleri ve karşılaştıkları problemler [The levels of physical education and sports teachers’ use of alternative assessment and evaluation methods & tools and the problems encountered during the implementation]. [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Necmettin Erbakan University.

Gül, E. (2011). İlköğretim öğretmen adaylarının ölçme-değerlendirme okuryazarlığı ve ölçme-değerlendirmeye ilişkin tutumlarının belirlenmesi [Preservice elementary teachers assessment literacy and attitude towards assessment]. [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Fırat University.

Gunes, I., Dursun, F., & Alci, B. (2025). Analysis of the assessment and evaluation approach in the Türkiye Century Education Model secondary school mathematics curriculum. Istanbul Education Journal, (2), 132-159. https://doi.org/10.71270/istanbulegitim.istj.1648231

Haladyna, T. M., Downing, S. M., & Rodriguez, M. C. (2002). A review of multiple-choice item writing guidelines for classroom assessment. Applied Measurement in Education, 15(3), 309-334. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324818ame1503_5

Hursen, Ç., & Birkollu, S. (2019). Determining the relationship between teachers’ attitudes towards the use of process-oriented measurement tools and self-efficacy perceptions. The Folklore/Literature Journal, 25(97), 440-454.

İzci, K., & Caliskan, G. (2017). Development of prospective teachers' conceptions of assessment and choices of assessment tasks. International Journal of Research in Education and Science, 3(2), 464-474. https://doi.org/10.21890/ijres.327906

Janisch, C., Liu, X., & Akrofie, T. (2007). Implementing alternative assessment: Opportunities and obstacles. The Educational Forum, 71(3), 221–230. https://doi.org/10.1080/001317207093

Kagan, D. M. (1992). Implication of research on teacher belief. Educational Psychologist, 27(1), 65-90.

Kahl, S. R., Hofman, P., & Bryant, S. (2013). Assessment literacy for the 21st century educator. Assessment Training Institute.

Kılıç, M. Y. (2020). Investigation of teachers’ opinions on alternative assessment and evaluation techniques. International Journal of Current Approaches in Language, Education and Social Sciences, 2(2), 483-508. https://doi.org/10.35452/caless.2020.26

Kızkapan, O., & Nacaroğlu, O. (2019). Science teachers’ opinions about central exams (LGS). Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University Journal of ISS, 9(2), 701-719.

Korkmaz, H., & Kaptan, F. (2005). An investigation on using electronic portfolio for assessing students’ development in science education. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology-TOJET, 4(1), 101-106.

Lyon, E. G. (2011). Beliefs, practices, and reflection: Exploring a science teacher’s classroom assessment through the assessment triangle model. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 22(5), 417-435. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10972-011-9241-4

Marland, P. (1998). Teachers’ practical theories: implications for preservice teacher education. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education & Development, 1(2), 15-23.

McMillan, J. H. (2013). Classroom assessment: Principles and practice for effective standards-based instruction (6th ed.). Pearson.

McMillan, J. H. (2008). Assessment essentials for standards-based education (2nd ed.). Corwin Press.

McMillan, J. H., & Nash, S. (2000, April). Teacher classroom assessment and grading practices decision making. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Council on Measurement in Education, New Orleans, LA.

MoNE [Ministry of National Education]. (2025). Türkiye Yüzyılı Maarif Modeli öğretim programları ortak metni [The common curriculum framework of the Türkiye Century Education Model]. Ministry of National Education.

MoNE [Ministry of National Education]. (2024). Türkiye Yüzyılı Maarif Modeli öğretim programları ortak metni [The common curriculum framework of the Türkiye Century Education Model]. Ministry of National Education.

MoNE [Ministry of National Education]. (2023). Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı Ölçme ve Değerlendirme Yönetmeliği [Ministry of National Education Regulation on Measurement and Evaluation]. Official Gazette, 09/09/2023, Number: 32304.

Nasri, N., Roslan, S. N., Sekuan, M. I., Bakar, K. A., & Puteh, S. N. (2010). Teachers’ perception on alternative assessment. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 7, 37-42. https://doi.org/

1016/j.sbspro.2010.10.006

Nazlıçiçek, N., & Akarsu, F. (2008). Physics, chemistry and mathematics techers’ approaches to assessment tools and their assessment practices. Education and Science, 33(149), 18-29.

Nitko, A. J., & Brookhart, S. M. (2011). Educational assessment of students (6th ed.). Pearson.

Oppong, S., Nugba, R. M., Asamoah, E., Quansah, N., & Ankoma-Sey, V. R. (2023). Teachers confidence of classroom assessment practices: a case of basic schools in upper denkyira west district, Ghana. European Journal of Education Studies, 10(11), 148-159. http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v10i11.5063

Ornstein, A. C., & Lasley, T. J. (2004). Strategies for effective teaching (4th ed.). The Mcgraw-Hill Companies Inc.

Önel, F., Dalkılınç, F., Özel, N., Deniz, G., Balkaya, T., & Birel, G. K. (2020). How middle school mathematics teachers do measurement and assessment? A case study. Kastamonu Education Journal, 18(3), 1448-1459. https://doi.org/10.24106/kefdergi.4113

Özçelik, D. A. (2016). Ölçme ve değerlendirme [Measurement and evaluation] (5th ed.). Pegem Akademi Publications.

Özdaş, F. (2019). The evaluation of the teacher and student views on the central placement examination system. Mukaddime, 10(2), 688-707. https://doi.org/10.19059/mukaddime.50

Özdemir, S. M. (2010). Elementary teacher competencies and inservice training needs in alternative measurement and assessment tools. The Journal of Turkish Educational Sciences, 8(4), 787-816.

Özenç, M., & Çakır, M. (2015). Exploring primary school teachers’ competencies of alternative assessment and evaluation. Elementary Education Online, 14(3), 914-933. http://dx.doi.org/

17051/io.2015.22900

Özeren, E., & Akpınar, B. (2020). Investigation of teachers’ epistemological beliefs and measurementevaluation practices in the context of Turkish education system. Journal of History School, 48, 3175-3200. http://dx.doi.org/10.29228/Joh.45810

Pajares, M. F. (1992). Teachers’ beliefs and educational research: Cleaning up a messy construct. Review of Educational Research, 62(3), 307-332. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543062003307

Patton, M. (2014) Qualitative research and evaluation methods (4th ed.). Sage Publications.

Popham, W. J. (2017). Classroom assessment: What teachers need to know (8th ed.). Pearson.

Popham, W. J. (2011). Transformative assessment in action: An inside look at applying the process. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Popham, W. J. (2000). Modern educational measurement: Practical guidelines for educational leaders. Allyn & Bacon.

Richardson, V. (2003). Preservice teachers’ beliefs. In J. Raths & A. C. McAninch (Eds.), Teacher beliefs and classroom performance: The impact of teacher education (pp. 1-22). Information Age Publishing.

Schreier, M. (2012). Qualitative Content Analysis in Practice. Sage Publications.

Seferoğlu, G., Korkmazgil, S., & Ölçü, Z. (2009). Gaining insights into teachers’ ways of thinking via metaphors. Educational Studies, 35(3), 323-335. https://doi.org/10.1080/03055690802648

Segers, M., & Dochy, F. (2001). New assessment forms in problem-based learning: The value-added of the students’ perspective. Studies in Higher Education, 26(3), 327-343. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075070120076291

Stiggins, R. J. (2007). Conquering the formative assessment frontier. In J. H. McMillan (Ed.), Formative classroom assessment: Theory into practice (pp. 8-28). Teachers College, Columbia University.

Stiggins, R. J. (2005). From formative assessment to assessment for learning: A path to success in standards-based schools. Phi Delta Kappan, 87(4), 324–328. https://doi.org/10.1177/0031721

Stobart, G. (2005). Fairness in multicultural assessment systems. Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice, 12(3), 275–287. https://doi.org/10.1080/09695940500337249

Şad, S. N., & Göktaş, Ö. (2013). Investigation of traditional and alternative measurement and evaluation approaches among teaching staff at higher education. Ege Journal of Education, 14(2), 79-105.

Şahin, M., & Uysal, İ. (2013). Analysis of pre-service teachers’ self-efficacy perceptions on measurement and evaluation. Bartın University Journal of Faculty of Education, 2(2), 190-207. https://doi.org/10.14686/201321987

Şentürk, C., & Baş, G. (2023). Classroom assessment beliefs of teachers: scale validity and reliability study. Educational Research for Policy and Practice, 22(2), 301-323. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10671-023-09339-2

Şimşek, V. (2022). Determining the attitudes of RCE teachers towards assessment and evaluation according to different variables. The Journal of Religious Studies, 25(63), 553-578. https://doi.org/10.15745/da.1183068

Thomas, M. (2012). Teachers’ beliefs about classroom assessment and their selection of classroomassessment strategies. Journal of Research and Reflections in Education, 6(2), 103-112.

Thompson, S. J., Benson, S. N. K., Pachnowski L. M., & Salzman, J. A. (2001). Decision-making in planning and teaching. Addision-Wesley Educational Publishers Inc.

Tozluoğlu, E., & Güven, S. (2025). Evaluation of country and province-wide exams at secondary level comprising of open-ended questions based on teachers’ opinions. The Journal of International Lingual Social and Educational Sciences, 11(1), 51-70. https://10.0.133.89/jilses.

Uysal, H., & Yumuşak, G. (2018). Self-effıcacy of mathematics teachers’ for using alternative assessment approaches. Electronic Turkish Studies, 13(11), 1421-1436. http://dx.doi.org/

7827/TurkishStudies.13348

Üztemur, S. S., & Çetin, M. (2015). Examining social studies teachers’ misconceptions in assessment and evaluation and their self-effıcacy beliefs. Anatolian Journal of Educational Leadership and Instruction, 3(2), 41-67.

Vaismoradi, M., Turunen, H., & Bondas, T. (2013). Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study. Nursing & Health Sciences, 15(3), 398-405. https://doi.org/10.1111/nhs.12048

Warman, W., Suryaningsi, S., & Mulawarman, W. G. (2021). Overcoming obstacles in implementing 2013 curriculum policy. Cypriot Journal of Educational Science. 16(3), 967-980. https://doi.org/10.18844/cjes.v16i3.5770

Windschitl, M. (1999). The challenges of sustaining a constructivist classroom culture. Phi Delta Kappan, 80(10), 751-754.

Wormeli, R. (2006). Accountability: Teaching through assessment and feedback, not grading. American Secondary Education, 34(3), 14-27.

Yaşar, M. (2014). An investigation of candidate teachers’ attitude towards “measurement and evaluation in education” course in terms of some variables. Trakya University Journal of Education, 4(2), 64-83.

Yıldız, M., & Genç, M. (2016). Secondary school religious culture and ethic teachers’ level of using alternative techniques of measurement and evaluation and the problems which they have encountered. Journal of Ilahiyat Researches, 45, 45-80. https://doi.org/10.29288/ilted.30

Yıldırım, L. (2024). Din kültürü ve ahlak bilgisi öğretmenlerinin ölçme değerlendirme anlayışları ve dersin merkezî sınavlara dâhil edilmesi hakkındaki görüşleri [Religious Culture and Ethics teachers’ understanding of measurement and evaluation and their views on the inclusion of the course in central examinations] [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Ankara University.

Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2016). Sosyal bilimlerde nitel araştırma yöntemleri [Qualitative research methods in the social sciences]. Seçkin Publications.

Yin, R. K. (2017). Case study research and applications: Design and methods. Sage Publications.




DOI: https://doi.org/10.51383/ijonmes.2025.441

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.




Copyright (c) 2025 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.