What Is Formative Assessment?
Ongoing, low-stakes assessments used during instruction to monitor student learning and adjust teaching in real time.
Formative assessment is the process of gathering evidence of student learning during instruction to inform teaching decisions. Unlike summative assessment (which evaluates learning after instruction), formative assessment happens during the learning process and is used to adjust instruction in real time.
Common formative assessment strategies include exit tickets, think-pair-share, thumbs up/down, whiteboard responses, quick writes, observation checklists, and questioning techniques. The key feature is that the information gathered is used immediately to modify instruction.
Effective formative assessment is not just about checking for understanding — it's about creating a feedback loop. Students should also use formative assessment data to monitor their own learning and identify areas where they need more practice or support.
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Summative Assessment
Assessments given at the end of an instructional period to evaluate student mastery against standards or learning objectives.
Exit Ticket
A brief formative assessment given at the end of a lesson where students respond to a question or prompt to demonstrate understanding before leaving class.
Rubric
A scoring guide that defines criteria and quality levels for evaluating student work, making expectations transparent and grading consistent.
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