You must assess learner progress because:

• adults want to know their time is well spent. 
• funders want to know their money is well spent.
• you want to know you are achieving your agency's mission.  

You can track learner progress through:

• formal, standardized assessment 
• informal assessment 
• NRS levels 
• other outcomes (non-assessment)

Give a needs assessments before you begin teaching, to identify learner: 

• background (educational and employment)
• Interests and goals
• potential barriers

Learner Needs Assessment Template (English)

Learner Needs Assessment Template (Spanish)

Personal Education Plan Template 1

Personal Education Plan Template 2

Setting Learner Goals

Give diagnostic assessments before you begin teaching, to find out what your learners already knows and can do.  Diagnostic assessments can be as simple as:

• a Needs Assessment and/or Personal Education Plan
• verbal or written “get to know you” questions
• discussing the time and location of future lessons

Give formative assessments periodically during learning to find out what your learners have learned and what you need to review.  For example:

• question and answer during the lesson 
• authentic tasks
• short tests and quizzes
• homework exercises
• authentic simulations/ role play

Sample Informal Skills Assessment

Give self-assessments before, during and after teaching to learn about students’ learning styles and perceived abilities/skills.  

Sample Learner Self-assessment