What is the significance of formative assessment in education?

Formative assessment plays a crucial role in the educational process as it is designed to provide ongoing feedback to both teachers and students, which helps to enhance learning and inform instruction. This type of assessment occurs during the learning process and is used to monitor student understanding and skill development. By gathering information about student performance, educators can identify areas where students may be struggling and adjust their teaching strategies accordingly. This continuous feedback loop fosters a supportive learning environment, promotes student engagement, and empowers learners to take ownership of their own educational journey. Unlike summative assessments, which evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit, formative assessments are focused on improvement and development throughout the learning experience.