FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT is not about “GOTCHA”….(giving a “pop” quiz to see who studied). 

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT is checking for learning…to identify who has hit the target goal and who needs more intensive help and practice in understanding. Formative assessment is ongoing all year long. Formative assessment is not given to produce a “grade”. It is given to gain information and identify what the student needs next in order to differentiate instruction.

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT is a range of formal and informal assessments.  It is commonly contrasted with summative assessment which seeks to monitor educational outcomes, such as promotion.  Informal formative assessment may be something as simple as “thumbs up or thumbs down” during classroom instruction to let the teacher know if the student understands… to benchmark assessments which are considered formal formative assessments. 

The state mandated universal reading screener (Aimsweb+) is administered to our K – 3 students three times a year to determine students’ reading fluency and comprehension needs.  This helps us to determine who needs intervention services.  STAR Early Literacy (for kindergarten) and STAR – ELA and Math (for grades 1-8) are administered three times a year to guide our instruction and help us to differentiate strategies that best meets the needs of our students.  Also, CASE – ELA, Math, and Science (Grades 3 – 8) and CASE – Social Studies (Grades 4 – 8) are administered twice a year.  These assessments mimic the TCAP and are very closely aligned to the standards that are tested in the spring on the TCAP. The results of all of these benchmark assessments guide our instruction, help us meet the needs of our students, and prepare our students for state assessments.