What is a limitation of descriptive assessments?

Descriptive assessments are often used to gather qualitative data about a student's behavior and skills. However, these assessments come with certain limitations that can impact their effectiveness. One significant limitation is that they can be time-consuming, as the process of observing, recording, and analyzing qualitative data requires considerable investment of time from educators. This is especially challenging in educational settings where educators have multiple responsibilities and limited time.

Additionally, the reliability of the data collected through descriptive assessments may be compromised. Because these assessments rely heavily on observations and subjective interpretations, there may be variability in the way different observers interpret or report behaviors. This can lead to a lack of consistency in the data, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions or to compare results over time or among different students effectively.

Thus, both time consumption and potential issues with data reliability are limitations associated with descriptive assessments, making the selection of the answer that recognizes these two limitations appropriate.