Which type of assessment is designed to monitor progress during instruction and inform adjustments to teaching?

Which type of assessment is designed to monitor progress during instruction and inform adjustments to teaching?

• A. Summative
• B. Diagnostic
• C. Formative
• D. Benchmark

Answer: (C)

Formative assessment focuses on checking students’ understanding as instruction is happening and using that information to adjust teaching. It’s ongoing and feedback-driven, so teachers can reteach or modify pacing, and students can see where they need to improve. Examples include quick exit tickets, informal checks for understanding, think-pair-share discussions, and teacher observations during activities. This approach contrasts with summative assessments, which evaluate learning at the end of a unit; diagnostic assessments, which identify starting points before instruction; and benchmark assessments, which are periodic checks against standards to gauge progress. Because formative assessment continuously informs instruction, it’s the tool that best fits the idea of monitoring progress during instruction and guiding adjustments to teaching.

Formative assessment focuses on checking students’ understanding as instruction is happening and using that information to adjust teaching. It’s ongoing and feedback-driven, so teachers can reteach or modify pacing, and students can see where they need to improve. Examples include quick exit tickets, informal checks for understanding, think-pair-share discussions, and teacher observations during activities. This approach contrasts with summative assessments, which evaluate learning at the end of a unit; diagnostic assessments, which identify starting points before instruction; and benchmark assessments, which are periodic checks against standards to gauge progress. Because formative assessment continuously informs instruction, it’s the tool that best fits the idea of monitoring progress during instruction and guiding adjustments to teaching.