What is the difference between summative and formative assessment?

The response that formative assessment provides ongoing feedback is accurate because formative assessments are designed to monitor student progress throughout the learning process. They are utilized during instruction to help both educators and students understand how well learning objectives are being met. This ongoing feedback allows educators to make necessary adjustments to their teaching strategies and helps students identify areas where they may need additional support or practice.

In contrast, summative assessments are typically given after a unit or instructional period to evaluate student learning against a predetermined set of standards. They are not focused on providing ongoing feedback during the instructional phases but rather on measuring the achievement at a specific point in time. Therefore, the role of formative assessments is more about enhancing learning through regular check-ins, while summative assessments serve to summarize what students have learned, often for the purpose of assigning grades or certifying achievement.