Formative assessment is an important part of how we check on student learning. Its main goal is to help students learn better and guide teachers on how to teach. Here are some key things to know about formative assessment.

First, formative assessment is ongoing. This means it happens all the time while students are learning, not just at the end. Teachers can see how well students understand the material right away. This allows teachers to change their teaching methods based on what students need, making learning more effective.

Second, it includes quick feedback. This feedback is really important because it helps students learn. There are many ways to give feedback, like talking to students, giving quizzes, having students assess each other, or asking students to think about their own work. This feedback helps students see what they are good at and what they can improve. It also encourages a growth mindset, where mistakes are seen as chances to learn.

Another key point is the involvement of students in their own assessment. Formative assessment gets students active by encouraging them to set goals and think about how they are doing. Students can also assess their own work or that of their classmates. This helps them take charge of their learning.

Finally, formative assessment is low-stakes. This means it doesn’t greatly affect students’ final grades. Because of this, students can try things out and explore their understanding without worrying about failing. This type of environment helps students learn more deeply.

In short, formative assessment is special because it is ongoing, gives quick feedback, involves students, and is low-stakes. All of these things work together to improve both teaching and learning in schools.