What is an example of a formative assessment?

A formative assessment is designed to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback to both students and teachers throughout the learning process. The example provided—administering a quiz during a unit—fits this definition perfectly. It allows the teacher to evaluate students' understanding of the material while the unit is still in progress. This kind of assessment helps identify areas where students may be struggling, enabling instructors to adapt their teaching strategies to better address those needs and improve student learning.

In contrast, standardized tests at the end of the year, report cards, and midterm exams generally serve as summative assessments. These assessments typically evaluate and summarize what students have learned after a significant amount of instruction has taken place, rather than providing real-time feedback during the learning process. They do not typically allow for adjustments in teaching based on individual student performance at that moment.