In User Path 1, performance assessments should be used when our curriculum aims and philosophy call for their use and they are the best means for capturing the targeted learning outcomes in a valid way. Performance assessments are distinctly advantageous in three main ways:

• they can be designed to assess bigger “chunks” of an achievement domain;
  
• they can be easily integrated with instruction because they are activity-based; and
  
• they are well-suited for measuring certain educational constructs - particularly, reasoning, higher order thinking, application of concepts and principles in real life settings, and social and motor behaviors.

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