What does the term "formative assessment" refer to in education?

The term "formative assessment" in education specifically refers to ongoing assessments that are conducted during the learning process. This type of assessment is designed to provide feedback to both the teacher and the students, allowing for adjustments to instruction and learning strategies in real-time. The goal is to enhance student learning by identifying strengths and areas for improvement, enabling educators to tailor their teaching to meet the needs of their learners effectively.

Formative assessments can take many forms, such as quizzes, discussions, peer reviews, or observational assessments, and they are integral to the learning cycle as they inform instructional decisions and help gauge student understanding while learning is still in progress. This approach fosters a growth mindset, encouraging students to engage actively with their learning and understand that evaluation contributes to their ongoing development rather than merely assigning a grade.