What is the definition of formative assessment?

The definition of formative assessment is best captured by identifying it as a continuous process that monitors student learning to provide ongoing feedback. This assessment approach is essential because it allows educators to gather information about student understanding during the learning process rather than after it has concluded.

By utilizing formative assessments, teachers can adjust their instruction based on the real-time data gathered from students, facilitating a more personalized learning experience. This approach helps inform both students and educators about where improvement is needed, guiding next steps in teaching and learning. The focus on ongoing feedback is crucial, as it promotes a growth mindset and encourages students to engage actively in their learning journey.

In contrast, the other options describe assessment methods that do not align with the principles of formative assessment. Evaluating final learning outcomes, benchmarking for standardized testing, and conducting a single evaluation at the end of a unit represent summative assessment methods, which assess learning after instruction has concluded and do not continuously inform the teaching process.