Formative Assessment
Introduction to Formative Assessment

Beyond scores and rankings, formative assessment is a tool for agency. It shifts the focus from final performance to the journey of improvement, creating a low-stakes environment where real-time insights allow both teachers and students to pivot, adapt, and succeed together.

This section supports an understanding of:

Engaging Students in Assessment
Helping students actively participate in their own learning through self- and peer-assessment.

Using Practice and Feedback Effectively
Creating multiple opportunities for students to practice skills and receive meaningful, actionable feedback before summative assessments.

Encouraging Students to Reflect and Use Feedback
Teachers provide the scaffolding and dedicated space for students to internalize feedback. Students learn to take the lead in their own improvement.

Using Evidence to Inform Decisions
Teachers interpret real-time evidence to pivot instruction and address learning gaps. This ensures instruction remains responsive and effectively guides students toward mastery.

The Dimensions of Formative Assessment

Engaging Students in the Assessment Process

The Critical Role of Practice and Feedback

Time to Reflect

Formative Assessment to Inform Instructional Practice

Assessment in Action Videos: Formative Assessment
This video series showcases formative assessment as a dynamic, ongoing dialogue rather than a static event. By highlighting practical strategies in real classrooms, these videos demonstrate how to actively engage students in their own learning journey and create consistent opportunities for growth through deliberate practice and feedback. We explore how to empower students to reflect on their progress and use insights to drive their learning, while providing educators with tools to use formative evidence to make responsive, real-time instructional decisions.
View Video Series
In-Depth Study of Formative Assessment

The Feedback Engine: Reclaiming Formative Assessment for Teacher and Student

This section explores how moving beyond superficial classroom “tricks” to a private, intentional dialogue between teacher and student transforms feedback into a powerful engine for genuine academic growth.

Watch the videos, and use the reflection and discussion questions to engage in meaningful assessment conversations with your colleagues!

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AAC Members Only Content

Note: This content area is available to AAC Members Only. Please login or learn more about Membership.