For which purpose is the informal assessment strategy of documenting anecdotal notes most appropriate?

Documenting anecdotal notes is most appropriate for observing individual student development in literacy over time. This method involves recording observations about students' behaviors, interactions, and progress in a narrative format, which allows educators to capture nuanced and rich descriptions of a student's learning journey.

This approach is particularly valuable because it provides insights into how students are applying their literacy skills in various contexts. For example, teachers can note how a student reads aloud, engages in discussions, or responds to reading materials, helping to track growth and identify patterns over time. By consistently documenting these observations, educators can better understand each student's unique learning trajectory and adjust their instructional strategies accordingly.

In contrast, evaluating lesson plan effectiveness typically relies on more structured forms of assessment, and assigning grades often requires standardized performance metrics rather than qualitative narratives. Similarly, identifying students for special education services necessitates formal assessments and educational evaluations rather than anecdotal records alone, which are less formal and may not provide the comprehensive data required for such determinations.