What is the primary focus of formative assessment?

The primary focus of formative assessment is to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback. Formative assessments are integral to the learning process as they help educators gauge how well students are understanding the material during the instructional unit. This type of assessment is typically conducted throughout the course, allowing teachers to identify areas where students may be struggling and adjust their teaching strategies accordingly. The goal is to enhance learning by facilitating timely interventions and support, which can significantly improve student outcomes.

This approach contrasts with other forms of assessment, such as summative assessments, which evaluate a student’s overall performance at the end of a course. While comparing student scores against standardized benchmarks serves to measure achievement relative to a set standard, it does not provide the continuous feedback that formative assessments do. Similarly, assessing the effectiveness of school policies does not center on individual student learning but rather on the broader impact of those policies. Thus, the key aspect of formative assessment lies in its ability to guide instructional practices and support students in their learning journeys.