OVERVIEW OF COMMON FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS
Common formative assessment at the classroom level is a systematic and cyclical process designed to provide timely teacher/student feedback on curricula and student learning to improve both instructional practices and academic achievement. Common formative assessments are not instruments.
Highest Leverage Practices – During Learning
More Formative
Classroom Assessment
Classroom Assessment
Good teaching with students and teachers engaging together. High-quality instruction. Ongoing student /teacher interaction
Most Formative
Common Assessment
Common Formative Assessment
Used DURING classroom instruction. Gives information to staff about their Tier 1 students.
Common Summative Assessment
Used FOLLOWING instruction. Gives information to staff to design a system-wide approach to intervene with Tier 2 students.
“Team” driven, collaboratively developed, and collectively scored and analyzed. They can be formative or summative.
Lowest Leverage Practices – After Learning
More Summative
District-Level Assessment
Benchmarks of proficiency and mastery. Examples include: DRA/ STAR/ AR/ NWEA/ ACUITY/ etc.
Most Summative
External Assessment
Ranks and sorts. State/federal accountability. Examples include: MAP/ EOC/ accountability tests at the state-level/new high-stakes assessments.
