I also prefer frequent assessment. DD bombed a unit math test (very uncharacteristic--in fact, it has never happened before) earlier in the year because she was coming down with strep and had a killer headache and fever. (No, she didn't ask to go home, because....??) It did take her grade down for a while, but she had enough other assignments to make it turn out okay-- which was very fortunate, because that semester was high stakes for middle school admission.