What is the primary role of formative assessment in the classroom?

Formative assessment plays a crucial role in the classroom by providing ongoing feedback that allows for instructional adjustments. This type of assessment is designed to be integrated into the learning process, helping educators understand how students are progressing. By regularly assessing students' understanding and skills throughout the instructional period, teachers can identify areas where students may struggle and adjust their teaching strategies accordingly.

This continuous feedback loop enhances the learning experience, as it enables both teachers and learners to recognize strengths and weaknesses in understanding. As a result, formative assessments encourage a more tailored educational approach that can lead to improved student outcomes. This is in contrast to assessments that focus on final performance or compare students across different contexts, which do not serve the same instructional purpose.