Formative Assessment Toolkit: Six Strategies for Teachers

Formative assessment is the ongoing work of gathering and reading evidence of learning while a lesson or unit is still in progress, then using that evidence to improve learning. This guide is for teachers who want a simple set of strategies to check where learners are, what they need to improve, and how to support their progress.

On this page 5 sections

What is formative assessment?

Formative assessment means collecting and interpreting evidence of student learning so that learners can build their understanding and knowledge. It happens throughout the learning process, not only at the end.

It helps teachers find gaps in learning and adjust instruction to meet each learner’s needs. Good formative assessment gives learners feedback that is:

• Specific: it tells the learner exactly what is right or what needs work.
• Timely: it comes while the learner can still act on it.
• Actionable: it shows the learner what to do next.

Formative vs. summative assessment

	Formative assessment	Summative assessment
When it happens	Throughout the learning process	At the end of a course or unit
Main purpose	Find learning gaps and adjust teaching	Measure overall knowledge and understanding
Use of results	Feedback and changes to instruction	A final measure of what was learned

Benefits of formative assessment

Formative assessment helps both learners and teachers. It can:

• Give learners feedback that is specific, timely, and actionable.
• Improve learner motivation, engagement, and self-regulation.
• Show teachers where their instruction is weak, so they can adjust their methods.
• Make grading more accurate and reliable.
• Improve communication and collaboration among teachers, learners, and parents.

The formative assessment toolkit

These six strategies work together. You do not need to use all of them every day. Choose the ones that fit your lesson and your class.

1. Clear learning objectives. Set learning objectives that match the curriculum and standards, and share them with learners. When learners know what they are expected to learn, they are more likely to take part and take ownership of their learning.
2. Rubrics and scoring guides. Rate learner work against criteria set in advance. Rubrics tell learners what is expected before they start and give them clear feedback after.
3. Questioning strategies. Ask open-ended questions and give learners wait time before calling for answers. This helps them think more deeply and explain their understanding in their own words.
4. Observation and documentation. Watch learners as they work and keep notes on their progress. These records show how well they understand the lesson and how their skills are growing.
5. Self and peer assessment. Let learners check their own work and give feedback to classmates. This builds metacognitive skills (thinking about their own thinking), encourages reflection, and promotes collaboration and communication.
6. Technology-based tools. Online quiz and response tools such as Kahoot, Socrative, and Quizlet give teachers real-time data on learning. Use the results to adjust instruction and tailor activities to each learner.

Putting the toolkit to work

Formative assessment is not one-size-fits-all. Change your strategies to fit the needs of your learners. A practical cycle looks like this:

1. Share the learning objective at the start of the lesson.
2. Check understanding during the lesson through questioning, observation, or a quick quiz.
3. Give feedback that is specific, timely, and actionable.
4. Let learners reflect through self or peer assessment.
5. Use what you gathered to adjust the next lesson.

Used regularly, these strategies help build a classroom where learners take ownership of their learning, reflect on their progress, and grow.

Frequently asked questions