What is the main purpose of alignment in curriculum and assessment?

The main purpose of alignment in curriculum and assessment is to ensure that what is being taught (the curriculum) is directly connected to what is being assessed (the assessment). This alignment guarantees that assessments accurately measure the knowledge and skills that students are expected to acquire through the curriculum. When there is strong alignment, educators can confidently evaluate student performance knowing that the assessments are reflective of the learning objectives.

A well-aligned curriculum and assessment system enables educators to design tests and other evaluation methods that specifically target the learning goals. This consistency allows for more reliable interpretations of student performance, ensuring that the assessment outcomes genuinely reflect the students' understanding and abilities related to the taught material. In this way, effective alignment serves as a foundation for meaningful educational evaluation, ultimately leading to improved educational practices and student learning outcomes.