DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2018.v06i07.006

Pages: 1382-1395

In an effective school, pupil performance is always monitored. The assessment data collected during classroom tests is analysed in detail and used to improve the performance of learners as well as the teacher instruction. This paper sought to determine the effective use of assessment data, classroom tests, in particular, so as to improve academic performance at Grade 7 level in Khami district of Bulawayo Metropolitan Province. Mixed research methodology was used. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data from the sample of 90 grade 5-7 teachers in ten schools. Purposive sampling was used to identify the ten schools as these schools were selected on the basis of performance in the grade seven national tests. Top five schools and bottom five schools were selected. The research revealed that teachers do collect data on classroom on classroom tests but do not adequately analyse the data to make informed decisions to improve learner performance. Hence the paper recommends that teachers should be provided with comprehensive assessment guidelines and educated in the handling of assessment data to make data-driven decisions.