What is the primary purpose of formative assessment in an elementary/middle school classroom?

Formative assessment plays a crucial role in the educational process, primarily aimed at monitoring student learning and delivering ongoing feedback. This continuous feedback loop allows teachers to recognize areas where students may be struggling and make necessary adjustments to their instruction to enhance learning outcomes. Unlike summative assessments, which evaluate student performance at the conclusion of a learning period, formative assessments are integrated into the daily classroom activities. They can include quizzes, discussions, observations, or any other means of gauging understanding during the learning process. The key is that they serve as tools for both students and teachers to identify strengths and weaknesses and foster improvement in real-time. This ongoing dialogue about performance creates a dynamic learning environment rather than a static one, ensuring that teaching methods remain responsive to student needs.