Which characteristic should formative assessments possess?

Formative assessments are designed to support and enhance the learning process rather than serve as a final evaluation of a student's performance. One of the key characteristics of formative assessments is their ability to encourage ongoing student engagement. This involves providing timely feedback to students, which helps them understand their progress and identify areas for improvement.

By prompting students to actively participate in their learning, formative assessments create a dynamic educational environment where students feel motivated to engage with the material, take risks, and ask questions. This continuous feedback loop enables teachers to adjust instruction based on student needs, ultimately promoting deeper learning and understanding.

The focus of formative assessments on engagement contrasts with the characteristics of other types of assessments, which may prioritize rankings, accountability measures, or retention of information rather than fostering a growth mindset and continuous development in students.