Which concept refers to assessments given while students are working on a concept or unit to provide information about what students understand or still need to learn?

• A. Formative assessments
• B. Informal assessment
• C. Formal assessment
• D. Theories and lesson plans

Answer: (A)

Formative assessment is an ongoing check during instruction to gauge what students understand and what they still need to learn. It gives timely, actionable information that helps you adjust teaching, revisit concepts, or provide targeted practice, rather than waiting until the end of a unit to assign a grade. Think of quick checks for understanding, exit tickets, or brief observations of student work as classic examples. By staffing your lessons with these ongoing insights, you tailor instruction to meet students where they are and move them forward. In contrast, formal assessments are typically structured evaluations at the end of a unit used for grading, and informal assessments are casual checks that may not be systematically used to guide instruction.