What is a document based assessment?

A document-based assessment (DBA) is an evaluation method that requires students to analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources, such as historical documents, texts, images, or data. This approach encourages critical thinking, as students must draw connections, make inferences, and construct arguments based on the evidence presented in the documents. DBAs are commonly used in subjects like history and social studies, promoting skills in analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Overall, they emphasize the application of knowledge in real-world contexts.