What is the main function of formative assessment?

The main function of formative assessment is to guide instruction during the learning process. Formative assessment is designed to provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to improve their teaching and by students to enhance their learning. It allows teachers to gauge understanding and skills in real-time and adjust their teaching strategies accordingly. This approach supports a more responsive learning environment where instruction is tailored to meet the needs of students as they progress through the material.

In contrast, other options focus on end results or comparative assessments. Determining a student's grade at the end of the term is characteristic of summative assessments, which evaluate student learning at the conclusion of an instructional unit. Comparing student performance to national standards typically falls under standardized assessments, which measure individual performance against a broader benchmark rather than guiding immediate instructional decisions. Lastly, summarizing student progress globally also pertains to summative assessments and provides a snapshot rather than detailed insights for ongoing improvement. Thus, the essence of formative assessment lies in its emphasis on continuous feedback and instructional adjustment, which is why it is viewed as an essential tool in the educational process.