Formative Assessment
Formative Assessment is a teaching approach where teachers regularly check student understanding during the learning process, rather than just testing at the end. Think of it like taking your car's temperature while driving instead of waiting until you reach your destination. Teachers use various methods like quick quizzes, class discussions, or homework checks to understand what students know and adjust their teaching accordingly. This is different from summative assessment (like final exams) because it happens throughout the teaching period and helps shape ongoing instruction.
Examples in Resumes
Implemented daily Formative Assessment strategies to track student progress and adjust instruction
Created digital Formative Assessment tools to gather real-time student feedback
Led professional development workshops on Formative Assessment techniques for department staff
Typical job title: "Teachers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Teachers
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Experienced Teacher Questions
Q: How have you led other teachers in implementing formative assessment strategies?
Expected Answer: Look for answers that show experience in mentoring colleagues, sharing successful strategies, and helping others interpret assessment data to improve their teaching.
Q: Describe a time when you had to modify your curriculum based on formative assessment results.
Expected Answer: Strong answers should include specific examples of how they identified learning gaps through assessment and made meaningful adjustments to help students succeed.
Mid-Career Teacher Questions
Q: What formative assessment techniques do you use most often and why?
Expected Answer: Candidates should describe multiple assessment methods like exit tickets, quick writes, or discussion techniques, and explain how they use the results.
Q: How do you use technology for formative assessment?
Expected Answer: Look for familiarity with digital tools and apps that help track student progress, and understanding of when to use technology versus traditional methods.
New Teacher Questions
Q: What is the difference between formative and summative assessment?
Expected Answer: Should explain that formative assessment happens during learning to guide teaching, while summative assessment evaluates learning at the end of a unit or term.
Q: How would you check for student understanding during a lesson?
Expected Answer: Should mention basic strategies like asking questions, using thumbs up/down, or quick written responses to gauge student comprehension.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic classroom assessment techniques
- Understanding of different question types
- Simple data collection methods
- Basic feedback strategies
Mid (3-5 years)
- Multiple assessment strategies
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Technology integration in assessment
- Differentiated assessment methods
Senior (5+ years)
- Assessment program development
- Teacher training and mentoring
- Curriculum modification based on data
- School-wide assessment planning
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of different assessment types
- Focuses only on grading and testing
- Unable to explain how assessment informs teaching
- No experience with student feedback
- Resistance to changing teaching methods based on assessment results
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