4.2: Formative and Summative Assessment

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Education Department
SUNY Oneonta via LumenLearning

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Formative Assessment

Assessment should be designed to inform the teacher and learner in order to accommodate the needs of the learner. Formative assessment is occurs throughout a lesson or unit and may take a variety of forms. A teacher may determine what students know by question and answer formats, checklists, or by paper and pencil assignments. Likewise, games such as Kahoot and Jeopardy may assist in similar data collection. The informed teacher can utilize the results of the formative assessment to re-engage or to modify the teaching plans to meet the needs of students.

Summative Assessment

Summative assessment is the evaluation that is given at the conclusion of a unit or lesson. It may determine student placement or level of knowledge. Results of summative assessment are not used in lesson planning; rather, they are used to evaluate the mastery of material. They can take the form of a question and answer or paper and pencil approach.

Formative Assessment	Both	Summative Assessment
They are assessments that help to inform the learning ‘in the moment’. Formative assessment is continuous, informal and should have a central and pivotal role in every classroom. If used correctly, it will have a high impact on current learning and help guide your instruction and teaching.	Are ways to assess pupils. Evaluate students effectively Are used for student feedback Assist in future lesson planning	Summative assessments are used after the teaching has ended. Summative assessments can be thought of as a measure of how students are progressing in their learning.
Includes: Activities Checking for Understanding Ideas Homework Exit Questions		Includes: Tests at the end of units or lessons Final exams End of year portfolios End of year assessments

Formative Assessment

Both

Summative Assessment

They are assessments that help to inform the learning ‘in the moment’. Formative assessment is continuous, informal and should have a central and pivotal role in every classroom.

If used correctly, it will have a high impact on current learning and help guide your instruction and teaching.

Are ways to assess pupils.

Evaluate students effectively

Are used for student feedback

Assist in future lesson planning

Summative assessments are used after the teaching has ended.

Summative assessments can be thought of as a measure of how students are progressing in their learning.

Includes:

Activities
Checking for Understanding Ideas
Homework
Exit Questions

Includes:

Tests at the end of units or lessons
Final exams
End of year portfolios
End of year assessments

Foundations of Education. Authored by: SUNY Oneonta Education Department. License: CC BY: Attribution