EDUCATION IN FLUX: AN ANALYSIS OF ALBANIAN ASSESSMENT METHODS THROUGH THE YEARS

The evolution of educational assessment mirrors the social, cultural, and scientific transformations of human societies. Early assessment practices focused primarily on practical skills, as seen in ancient China’s civil service examinations and Greece’s Socratic dialogues, which fostered reasoning and critical thinking. The nineteenth century introduced scientific approaches, including intelligence testing and psychometrics, while the twentieth century saw the institutionalization and standardization of assessments, exemplified by the development of general intelligence theory and objective academic testing. In contemporary education, technological innovations such as computerized and adaptive assessments, along with formative assessment practices, have shifted the focus from merely measuring knowledge to actively enhancing learning. This historical progression underscores how assessment has evolved from a pragmatic tool into a dynamic instrument that supports and promotes continuous learning.