Is testing the only way to measure student growth?

PE and dance are nowhere close to the traditional subjects of math and science, but regardless of these topics freedom of movement and space testing for understanding is still necessary. I give two major unit test in my dance class and a culminating performance based assessment. Having only two tests that encompass both subjective criteria such as short answer and essay questions and objective questioning with true-false, multiple choice and matching, I found that unless students study and take a personal interest in their learning success is limited. The performance assessment is the measurement of student growth in the choreography they learn for Art's Night. Where at times this gets murky, and a rubric becomes helpful is basing student growth on the components of the rubric versus what I think and know could have happened if the student would have:

• Practiced more
• Showed up to class regularly
• Focused during demonstrations and took/ applied corrections. 

For my PE students, I have decided not to give a culminating assessment or exam. Knowing my students and the changes I am making to their perception of PE they are not in a place to be tested on the superior skills or fitness components related to fitness. An alternative I have put in place of screening my students learning is a 5 part fitness project. This project asks students to build knowledge on a fitness program, create a plan for implementation, teaching the skill to the class, creating a fitness training video of skill and assessing their growth and performance through the project.

  Question:

Are tests the only way to measure student understanding?

In my work (Dance and PE) NO! Daily class performance, is a wonderful way to assess equally for learning. Test are important and eliminates students piggybacking off of other students but for my dancers and athletes who show up every day and give 100% but freeze at the sight of a test should have class participation be a major factor or points toward an overarching exam.