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KnowledgeBases > The Classroom Assessment KnowledgeBase > Element 1 > Activity 2 > Task 2: Establish the Purpose of the Formative Assessment(s)

Guideline:

Formative assessment is a tool used by teachers to provide feedback to students about how well they have grasped a specific concept or lesson.  As such, it is important the purpose of each assessment be defined clearly so teachers and students have a common understanding of its intent.

References A Descriptive Analysis of State-Supported Formative Assessment Initiatives in New York and Vermont

This document provides links to a Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast and Island report examining formative assessment initiatives in New York and Vermont. The provided URL links are to a report summary and the complete report.

References Formative Assessment Strategies _EXTERNAL_LINK

This link to the Data Use for Improving Learning website provides an overview of the formative assessment strategies in graphic form.  

References Integrating Assessment With Instruction _EXTERNAL_LINK

Developed by Education Northwest, formerly the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, Toolkit98 is designed to assist teachers to become better assessors of student learning. Chapter 2 addresses Integrating Assessment With Instruction. The chapter offers insights on the relationship between assessment and instruction. Bringing the two together defines the purpose for classroom assessment.

References Is Formative Assessment Losing Its Meaning? _EXTERNAL_LINK

In this August 2005 EdWeek article, Stephen Chappuis of the Assessment Training Institute warns against homogenizing the concept of formative assessment. He points out formative assessment is more than just more frequent testing.

Presentations The Formative Purpose: Assessment Must First Promote Learning _EXTERNAL_LINK

This presentation, given by Dylan Wiliam at the 2005 Council of Chief State School Officers National Conference on Large Scale Assessment, explains the purpose of formative assessment.

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