When assessing progress, what method ensures continuous improvement and adjustment in teaching?

Formative assessment is a method that plays a critical role in ensuring continuous improvement and adjustment in teaching. It involves ongoing evaluations of student learning through various techniques, such as quizzes, class discussions, and feedback sessions, which occur during the learning process rather than at the end.

This approach allows teachers to gather real-time data about student understanding and skills, enabling them to identify areas where students may be struggling. By using this information, educators can modify their instruction, provide additional resources, or tailor their teaching strategies to better meet the needs of their students. The flexibility of formative assessment helps create a dynamic learning environment where teaching can be responsive to student needs, promoting a cycle of ongoing improvement.

In contrast, standardized testing evaluates student performance at specific intervals, typically at the end of a unit or academic year, providing a snapshot rather than a continual assessment. Summative assessment, like standardized tests, summarizes what students have learned after instruction has completed, and while it provides valuable insights into the overall effectiveness of teaching, it does not support immediate instructional adjustments. Informal observation, while useful for gathering qualitative data about student engagement and behavior, may lack the structure needed for systematic progress monitoring compared to formative assessments.