Formative Assessment
Formative Assessment is an ongoing teaching approach where educators regularly check how well students are learning during the actual learning process, rather than just testing at the end. Think of it like taking a temperature reading throughout a lesson instead of waiting until the final exam. Teachers use this method to make quick adjustments to their teaching based on student needs. This differs from summative assessment (like final exams) because it happens while there's still time to improve learning. It's a bit like having regular check-ins with employees during a project rather than only doing an end-of-project review.
Examples in Resumes
Implemented Formative Assessment strategies to improve student learning outcomes by 25%
Trained new teachers in Formative Assessment techniques and continuous feedback methods
Developed digital Formative Assessment tools to track student progress in real-time
Typical job title: "Education Specialists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Education Specialists
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you implement a school-wide formative assessment strategy?
Expected Answer: Looking for answers that show experience in creating comprehensive assessment plans, training other teachers, and measuring success across multiple classrooms. Should mention data collection, teacher support systems, and ways to maintain consistency.
Q: How do you use technology to enhance formative assessment?
Expected Answer: Should discuss various digital tools, explain how they save time and provide better insights, and demonstrate understanding of both benefits and limitations of technology in assessment.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What formative assessment techniques have you found most effective?
Expected Answer: Should be able to describe specific techniques like exit tickets, quick writes, or classroom polls, and explain why and when they work best.
Q: How do you adjust your teaching based on formative assessment results?
Expected Answer: Should provide examples of how they've modified lessons or approaches based on student feedback and assessment data.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the difference between formative and summative assessment?
Expected Answer: Should explain that formative assessment happens during learning to help improve teaching and learning, while summative assessment evaluates learning at the end of a unit.
Q: What are some simple formative assessment techniques you use in the classroom?
Expected Answer: Should mention basic strategies like thumbs up/down, exit tickets, or short quizzes, showing understanding of quick feedback methods.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic classroom assessment techniques
- Using simple feedback tools
- Recording student progress
- Following assessment guidelines
Mid (2-5 years)
- Creating custom assessment tools
- Analyzing assessment data
- Modifying instruction based on results
- Training peers in basic techniques
Senior (5+ years)
- Developing school-wide assessment strategies
- Leading professional development
- Integrating technology with assessment
- Program evaluation and improvement
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of the difference between formative and summative assessment
- Relies only on traditional testing methods
- Unable to provide examples of assessment techniques
- No experience with giving constructive feedback
- Lack of knowledge about educational technology tools
Related Terms
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