What best describes alternative assessments?

Alternative assessments are best characterized as methods that involve open-ended questions and practical skills. This approach contrasts with traditional assessments that often rely on closed-ended questions or standardized formats. The focus of alternative assessments is to evaluate a student's understanding and abilities in a more holistic manner, allowing them to demonstrate knowledge and skills through various means, such as projects, portfolios, performances, or presentations.

These assessments provide insight into a student's thought processes, creativity, critical thinking, and application of skills in real-world contexts. By incorporating open-ended questions, educators can gauge the depth of understanding and encourage students to express their thoughts in nuanced ways, which is especially beneficial for diverse learners in special education.

The other options do not capture the essence of alternative assessments. Tests given at the end of a unit typically refer to traditional forms of assessment, which may not assess practical skills or deeper understanding. Assessments performed solely on paper also miss out on various modalities of demonstrating knowledge, and assessments that provide statistical comparisons primarily rely on quantitative measures rather than qualitative insights that are characteristic of alternative assessments.