What is formative assessment?

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Formative assessment refers to a continuous process that involves ongoing evaluations of student learning throughout an instructional period. Its primary purpose is to monitor student understanding, skills, and progress while providing feedback that can help shape future teaching and learning strategies. This type of assessment allows educators to identify areas where students might be struggling, enabling them to adjust their teaching methods accordingly to better meet the needs of their students.

In contrast to other forms of assessment, such as tests given at the end of a course, formative assessments are integrated into daily lessons and can take various forms, including quizzes, discussions, observations, or even informal checks for understanding. This real-time feedback loop is instrumental in fostering an adaptive learning environment that promotes student success.

Standardized tests, which are mentioned in the incorrect choices, typically assess a broad range of knowledge and skills at set intervals, providing a snapshot rather than ongoing insight. Lastly, while quizzes can be part of formative assessment, their focus on measuring student motivation does not encapsulate the broader goal of formative assessment, which primarily aims to enhance learning and teaching through immediate, actionable feedback.

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