What rationale supports the legal guideline of using multiple measures for assessing academic progress?

Using multiple measures for assessing academic progress is rooted in the rationale of minimizing bias in the evaluation process. This approach acknowledges that individual assessments may be influenced by various factors such as socioeconomic background, learning styles, and test-taking abilities. By incorporating a variety of assessment methods—such as standardized tests, observations, projects, and self-assessments—educators can obtain a more comprehensive and balanced view of a student's abilities and progress.

This multifaceted strategy helps ensure that no single assessment method disproportionately affects a student's evaluation. It allows for a more accurate representation of a student's skills and areas needing improvement, which is particularly important for making informed educational decisions and supporting individual learning needs. Utilizing multiple measures fosters a fairer assessment environment that values diverse student strengths and mitigates the risk of relying too heavily on one type of data, which may not fully capture a student's academic experience or potential.