Perceptions of First Grade Students in SMP Negeri 2 Salatiga Towards Traditional Tests and Portfolio in English Class

Abstract

Assessment has a significant role in education. There are many kinds of assessment which teachers can use to assess their students. The teacher commonly uses traditional tests rather than alternative assessment. One kind of alternative assessment which can measure the students' progress is portfolio. The aim of this study is to investigate the students' perceptions about the use of traditional tests and portfolio in English class. Hopefully this study gives the teacher suggestions related to the assessment to give to the students. The data were collected by using a questionnaire given to 30 students of the first grade students in SMP Negeri 2 Salatiga. The researcher uses qualitative descriptive method to analyze the data. The result showed that the students had different perceptions toward these two assessment tools, what they liked about traditional tests was that in traditional tests because in traditional tests there were not many commands, the assignment was structured or patterned, and there were remediation tests for improvement. While towards portfolio students thought that through a portfolio students' creativity is more honed in learning, portfolio adds activeness and independence in students learning, and through a portfolio, students are more responsible in their learning process.