What distinguishes formative assessments from summative assessments?

Formative assessments are characterized by their ongoing nature, where teachers continuously evaluate student learning throughout the instructional process. This type of assessment is designed to monitor student progress and understanding, allowing educators to provide immediate feedback and adjust their teaching strategies to better meet students' needs. The goal of formative assessments is to inform both teaching and learning, ensuring that students have a clear understanding of the concepts being taught as they move through the material.

In contrast, summative assessments are typically conducted at the end of an instructional period to evaluate what students have learned up to that point. These assessments do not provide immediate feedback for instructional adjustments and are often used to assign grades or evaluate overall student performance. They are distinct from formative assessments in that they summarize learning rather than support it throughout the educational process.