Formative assessment data in the classroom is like a GPS system for the teacher. You know where students need to go and you map out instructional pathways they can take to get there.
As students take responsibility for learning, it is essential to maintain a clear sense of each student’s learning progress across all unit objectives. There are a number of effective approaches to gathering this information as students interact with the teacher, one another, and learning materials.
Formative assessment data can be collected from:
- Observations - What do you see students doing? What do you hear them saying to one another?
- Interviews - How do they respond to your questions across a range of critical thinking levels?
- Artifacts - What do students produce? What level of understanding is evident?
A range of formative assessment types will provide the most accurate picture of student learning. Use the Four Types of Formative Assessment tool to learn more about and to plan for:
- Temperature Gauges
- Breakpoints
- Student-Directed Assessments
- Comprehensive Assessments
This data can be collected into a Facilitation Grid and used as a basis for differentiated planning based on student mastery.