Formative Assessment

Based on the Blog by Rebecca Alber

Original Publication Date:  2/15/2011

Formative assessment is overshadowed by high stakes tests and summative assessments.  After all, our legislators have placed great value and consequences based on the results of these tests for both teachers and students.  However, it is important that teachers understand that formative assessments play a vital role in education.  If used consistently and appropriately formative assessments will positively affect student learning.  The author, Rebecca Alber, cautions that “formative assessments are not about gatch-ing students but about guiding where instruction needs to go next” (Alber, 2011).

To accomplish effective formative assessment the author provides several examples that avoid the standard quiz.  Using an exit slip is an excellent way of assessing which students understand the content and those who do not.  She suggests dividing the responses into three piles, one for students who understand the content, those that “kind of get it”, and the third for those who are lost.  This simple method quickly provides necessary information to inform instruction. In addition to the methods she describes in her blog, Ms. Alber points out that observing students during class is an effective method of formative assessment and suggests keeping a list of names and using simple check or plus marks to keep track of students’ progress.

What formative assessments do you use to avoid the dreaded quiz?

Alber, R. (2011, February 15). Why formative assessments matter [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/formative-assessments-importance-of-rebecca-alber