What are formative assessments?

Formative assessments are ongoing evaluations used throughout the instructional process to monitor student understanding and progress. They serve multiple purposes: they help educators identify areas where students may be struggling, guide instructional adjustments, and provide real-time feedback to students to enhance their learning. This form of assessment is integral to the learning process as it allows for immediate adjustments in teaching strategies based on students' needs.

This approach contrasts with the other options, which describe assessments conducted at specific points in time—such as at the end of a semester or through standardized yearly testing. These latter assessments often evaluate students’ cumulative knowledge rather than facilitating a continuing dialogue about learning as formative assessments do. Thus, the nature of formative assessments lies in their continuous and responsive framework, which plays a critical role in supporting student development and achievement.