What is the primary purpose of formative assessment in a professional development program?

What is the primary purpose of formative assessment in a professional development program?

• A. Determine pass/fail
• B. Provide ongoing feedback to improve learning
• C. Only used for research
• D. Has no impact on instruction

Answer: (B)

Formative assessment is a continuous feedback process used during learning to shape what happens next. In a professional development program, its main purpose is to provide ongoing feedback that helps participants improve and to guide instructors in adjusting content, activities, and supports while the program is in progress. Quick checks for understanding, practice with feedback, and reflections reveal what learners grasp and where gaps remain, so the next steps—reteaching, clarifying concepts, or providing additional resources—can be targeted. This approach directly informs instructional decisions and supports, rather than serving only a final pass/fail judgment, being used solely for research, or having no effect on how instruction proceeds.

Formative assessment is a continuous feedback process used during learning to shape what happens next. In a professional development program, its main purpose is to provide ongoing feedback that helps participants improve and to guide instructors in adjusting content, activities, and supports while the program is in progress. Quick checks for understanding, practice with feedback, and reflections reveal what learners grasp and where gaps remain, so the next steps—reteaching, clarifying concepts, or providing additional resources—can be targeted. This approach directly informs instructional decisions and supports, rather than serving only a final pass/fail judgment, being used solely for research, or having no effect on how instruction proceeds.