Isis Nalba Albuquerque CARDOSO; Cleide Jane de Sá Araújo COSTA and Luis Paulo Leopoldo MERCADO
RIAEE – Revista Ibero-Americana de Estudos em Educação, Araraquara, v. 18, n. 00, e023027, 2023. e-ISSN: 1982-5587
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21723/riaee.v18i00.17546 5
Cunha (1999) reflects that assessment cannot be approached as an isolated element,
considering that it stems from decisions made in other instances and exposes pre-defined values.
In this sense, the process of evaluating student learning is configured as a broad and abstract
field. Hoffmann (2014) understands that assessment cannot be restricted to the application of
tests, exams or exercises, which the author calls assessment instruments, nor to report cards,
sheets or reports, considered as assessment records. Therefore, the author understands that
"instruments and records are part of the methodology, which, in turn, varies depending on the
concept of assessment to which it is linked: classificatory conception or mediating conception"
(HOFFMANN, 2014. p. 01, our translation).
About these conceptions, Garcia, Morais, Zaros and Rego (2020) corroborate Hoffmann
(2014) and explain that there are two main types with regard to assessment in education, the
first aimed at classification and selection (classificatory conception) and the second for the
learning outcomes, i.e., the level and nature of the competence acquired, based on criteria, being
diagnostic or continuous.
According to Cunha (1999), efforts were previously focused on the improvement of
techniques for the development of questions and tests, however, although the techniques for the
development of questions are also important, soon the scope of the problem was perceived and
the eyes turned to the purpose of the assessment and not only its execution. Souza (2012)
corroborates Cunha (1999) and emphasizes that assessment, beyond the proposal of
classification and selection, should also consider the multiplicity of factors that contribute to
provide information about the learning processes and the students' life context.
In this perspective, Hadji (2001) proposes some evaluation modalities, among them the
classificatory evaluation (classifies the results at the end of the bimester/semester), the
diagnostic evaluation (allows the teacher to verify what the students already know about certain
content, before starting a subject or course) and the formative or continuous evaluation (time
when the teacher seeks to collect data in order to improve the teaching-learning process).
Thus, Fernandes (2009, p. 93, our translation) points out that "any evaluation process
must consider the learning processes and products". For the author, assessment has the function
of contributing to the motivation of students so that they can learn and also understand how
their progress occurs, as well as their difficulties.
Hoffmann (2014) believes that evaluation, from a mediating perspective, aims to
observe, monitor, and promote learning improvements. It must follow the teacher-student track
in an individual way, that is, the teacher must evaluate each student in his or her individuality,