Which type of assessment is often used to evaluate a student's progress over time?

Formative assessment is designed to evaluate a student's progress throughout the learning process, allowing educators to monitor and support student development over time. It involves ongoing feedback and can include various methods such as quizzes, discussions, observations, and informal assessments. The primary purpose of formative assessment is to enhance learning by identifying strengths and areas that need improvement, thus guiding instructional adjustments.

This continuous evaluation helps educators to clarify learning goals, recognize student misconceptions early, and implement targeted interventions that can facilitate student learning. Unlike summative assessments, which measure learning at the end of a learning period, formative assessments focus on the ongoing process of learning, making them particularly valuable for tracking progress and adapting instruction accordingly.