Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

Which of the following statements best describes formative assessment?

1. It's 'high' stakes and determines progress

2. It's embedded in learning, gives feedback, and is ongoing

3. Occurs only at the end of a unit

4. Implemented once a year

The correct answer is: It's embedded in learning, gives feedback, and is ongoing

The statement that formative assessment is embedded in learning, gives feedback, and is ongoing accurately captures the essence of what formative assessments are designed to achieve. Formative assessments are typically informal and integral to the teaching process, allowing educators to monitor student progress, adjust instruction, and provide immediate feedback that fosters learning. These assessments are conducted continually throughout the learning process rather than being separated from it. This ongoing nature of formative assessments makes them valuable tools for identifying students' strengths and weaknesses, thus guiding instructional strategies in real time. Additionally, formative assessment emphasizes the importance of fostering a growth mindset in students, encouraging them to see learning as a continuous process rather than as a series of high-stakes judgments that happen sporadically or at the end of a unit.