Which assessment type is primarily used to assess ongoing student performance?

The correct choice is formative assessment, as it is specifically designed to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to improve their teaching and by students to enhance their learning. Formative assessments are typically conducted during the learning process and can take various forms, including quizzes, discussions, or in-class activities. The goal is to identify areas where students may need additional support or to adjust instruction accordingly.

Unlike summative assessments, which evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional period, formative assessments occur continuously throughout the learning process. This ongoing nature allows for timely interventions and adaptations, fostering a more personalized learning environment. Diagnostic assessments, on the other hand, are typically used to identify students’ strengths and weaknesses before instruction begins, while criterion-referenced assessments measure student performance against specific criteria or standards, rather than against the performance of other students.