What is the primary focus of formative assessments?

The primary focus of formative assessments is ongoing evaluations, which are designed to monitor student learning and provide continuous feedback throughout the educational process. These assessments help teachers identify areas where students may be struggling and allows for timely adjustments in instruction to meet individual learning needs.

Formative assessments often occur during the learning process rather than at the end, enabling educators to gauge student understanding and progress continuously. This could involve quizzes, class discussions, observations, or feedback on assignments, all aimed at improving student learning in real-time.

In contrast, final exams, skill mastery benchmarks, and end-of-term projects typically evaluate students after a unit or course has been completed and do not provide the same level of ongoing insight into student learning and progress.