Which assessment method is used primarily for evaluating a student's progress in a specific skill area?

Formative assessment is designed primarily to evaluate a student's progress in a specific skill area during instruction. It is conducted regularly and provides ongoing feedback to both students and teachers, allowing them to identify strengths and weaknesses in a student's understanding as learning occurs. This type of assessment enables educators to adjust their teaching strategies in real-time to meet the needs of each student and can include quizzes, observations, and discussions.

This method is integral in informing instruction and helping students learn effectively, as it focuses on not just the final outcome but the learning process itself. Unlike diagnostic assessment, which occurs before instruction to determine a student’s readiness or specific areas of need, formative assessments are implemented throughout the teaching process. Summative assessments evaluate cumulative knowledge at the end of an instructional period but do not provide immediate feedback conducive to ongoing learning. Benchmark assessments, while also useful for tracking progress, typically measure students against a set standard or expectation at certain points rather than focusing on continuous monitoring.