What is the role of a checklist in informal assessment?

• A. It records whether specific criteria were met
• B. It measures depth of understanding through essays
• C. It assesses attitudes
• D. It replaces the final grade

Answer: (A)

A checklist in informal assessment is a simple, practical way to record whether students have met predefined criteria for a task. Because it lists specific observable elements, it lets you quickly verify which parts were completed and which are still missing, giving clear, actionable feedback and a sense of progress. For example, in a short writing task, a checklist might include items like a topic sentence, supporting details, evidence, organization, and correct mechanics, so both you and the student can see exactly what has been done. This focuses on whether essential components are present rather than judging the depth of understanding, which would require a more detailed rubric or scoring guide. It also doesn’t measure attitudes or feelings, and it doesn’t replace the final grade—it's a formative tool to guide next steps and ongoing learning.