What does "holistic scoring" refer to in assessments?

Holistic scoring refers to an evaluation method that considers the overall quality of a student's work rather than assessing it in a piecemeal fashion. This approach aims to capture the general impression and effectiveness of the work as a complete entity, taking into account various elements such as content, organization, style, and clarity. By focusing on the overall quality, holistic scoring can provide a more comprehensive assessment of student performance, reflecting how well the various components of the work interact and contribute to its overall effectiveness. This method is particularly useful in areas like writing, where the coherence and impact of the piece are as important as its structural or grammatical components.

Other options, such as a method focusing solely on grammar, a numerical scoring system, or a scoring system that rates individual components, do not align with the holistic approach. These alternatives often dissect the work into separate parts, which is contrary to the intent of holistic assessment.