What distinguishes formative assessments from other types of assessments?

Formative assessments are designed to provide feedback that informs instruction and helps guide future teaching. This approach focuses on collecting data during the learning process, allowing educators to identify student strengths and areas for improvement in real-time. By using formative assessments, teachers can adjust their teaching strategies based on the immediate needs of their students, fostering a more effective learning environment.

This continuous feedback loop supports students' learning by enabling them to understand their progress and areas needing enrichment or remediation before they face high-stakes assessments. Unlike summative assessments, which evaluate student performance at the end of a term or against standardized criteria, formative assessments are ongoing and specifically aim to enhance learning outcomes.