Assessment support as part of teacher duties in the subject of Swedish at the elementary level

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine and describe the use of a formative assessment support regarding reading instruction in grades 1-3, viewed from a teacher perspective. Sixty-five teachers from all parts of Sweden responded to a questionnaire, who had used the support for at least one year. Of the participant teachers, nine were interviewed for the purpose of performing an in-depth analysis of the questions. The teachers stated that the primary use of the assessment results was to identify students in need of extra support, as a basis for performance appraisals, as well as for further lesson planning. Formative assessment was, on the one hand, described as a concrete practical method and, on the other hand, as an attitude. The results also indicate a feeling of frustration that, notwithstanding the current deeper insight into what every student needs, the teaching still proceeds on some middle-ground path or level.