Formative assessments monitor learning as students progress through the material. Summative assessments evaluate learning once students have completed a unit of study. Formative assessments are low stakes and can be given in a variety of formats. Summative assessments are high stakes and typically include some type of pen to paper evaluation.
Formative assessments provide teachers with feedback about students’ strengths and weaknesses while a unit of study is being taught. These assessments also provide students with information about how well they understand a concept. Teachers use formative assessments to check for understanding before teaching the next concept. With the information from the assessment, they can address weaknesses and determine if the entire class or individual students are ready to move forward with instruction or need additional practice.
Formative assessments should be given several times throughout a unit of study because they help shape the planning for what should be taught next. Formative assessments offer you flexibility with how you assess students. This flexibility helps to create an engaging environment since formative assessments allow students to experience a variety of activities, and you can assess them in large groups or individually. Some examples of formative assessments include group discussions, concept maps, journals, exit tickets, and polls.
Formative assessments provide information that explains to what extent students understand a concept, but they can also help you understand the effectiveness of your lesson and how you will proceed with the next lesson. You can include formative assessments that ask students to write down what was helpful about a lesson and what needed more explanation. You can also ask students to explain what was difficult or how they feel about what they learned.
Typically, summative assessments are given at the end of a unit of study, project, course, or semester. They demonstrate learning and are usually in the form of tests, capstone projects, or portfolios. The formative assessments given throughout the unit should relate to the final summative assessment. When students are studying for a summative assessment, they should be able to review many of their formative assessments as a way to prepare.
Summative assessments demonstrate student learning, so many districts use them as a diagnostic tool. Standardized tests and benchmark tests provide information to teachers and school districts about academic progress. Many consider these diagnostic tools as formative assessments because they determine strengths and weaknesses in specific areas and help teachers plan their units of study. Yet, since standardized tests and benchmark tests are typically given at the end of a course, they are considered summative assessments that help to inform decisions about schools, teachers, and curriculum.
Essentially, formative assessments are considered the practice or rehearsal and summative assessments are the final product or the performance.
Learning by Design 