Which of the following is an effective way to assess student progress in ELA?

Utilizing multiple assessments and incorporating self-assessment opportunities is an effective way to assess student progress in English Language Arts (ELA) because it provides a more comprehensive understanding of a student's abilities and learning process. This approach acknowledges that students can express their knowledge and skills in various formats, allowing for a broader evaluation beyond just formal testing.

Incorporating diverse assessments—such as quizzes, presentations, group projects, and reflective journals—helps capture different aspects of student learning. Moreover, self-assessment encourages students to engage in metacognition, where they reflect on their comprehension and learning strategies. This empowerment not only fosters independence but also aids teachers in identifying areas where students may need additional support or enrichment.

The other approaches—waiting solely for formal testing periods, conducting observations without feedback, and limiting assessments to written exams—are less effective as they do not provide ongoing, varied, or constructive methods of gauging student progress. These methods can lead to a superficial understanding of a student's capabilities and limit opportunities for growth and improvement.