What is the role of formative assessments in education?

Formative assessments play a crucial role in the educational process by providing ongoing feedback to both students and teachers. They are designed to monitor student learning and understanding during the instructional process rather than at the end of a course. This continuous feedback helps to identify areas where students may struggle and allows educators to adjust their teaching strategies accordingly. By focusing on progress and understanding, formative assessments can enhance learning by ensuring students are on track to meet learning objectives, facilitating a more tailored educational experience.

In contrast, assigning final grades, comparing performance across schools, or determining graduation eligibility are more summative in nature and typically assess cumulative knowledge and skills rather than providing insights for improvement during the learning process.