Which of these statements is CORRECT regarding the two major types of assessment ?
Correct Answer :
Formative assessment goes on continuously through the learning phase.
Solution :
The correct option is Formative assessment goes on continuously through the learning phase.
Explanation:
Assessment in education is broadly categorized into two major types: Formative Assessment and Summative Assessment.
1. Formative Assessment:
Formative assessment is an ongoing, continuous process conducted during the learning phase (instructional period). Its primary purpose is to monitor student learning, provide ongoing feedback to both students and teachers, and identify areas where students need improvement so teaching strategies can be modified immediately.
2. Summative Assessment:
Summative assessment takes place at the end of an instructional unit, term, or academic year. Its main goal is to evaluate student learning, progress, and skill acquisition against standard benchmarks or outcomes (e.g., final exams or standardized tests).
Evaluating the given options:
• "Formative assessment goes on continuously through the learning phase." – CORRECT. This accurately defines the continuous, diagnostic, and process-oriented nature of formative assessment.
• "Summative assessment is done before and during the learning phase." – INCORRECT. Summative assessment is done after/at the end of the learning phase.
• "Formative assessment focuses on the form rather than function of learning." – INCORRECT. The term "formative" relates to shaping/forming student learning, not "form over function."
• "Summative assessment is about the sum total of every form of assessment through the year." – INCORRECT. Summative assessment evaluates overall achievement at a final point, not merely summing up all prior formative marks.
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