What is the primary purpose of formative assessment in education?

The primary purpose of formative assessment in education is to provide feedback for instructional improvement. This type of assessment is typically conducted during the learning process and is designed to gather information about student understanding and progress. By implementing formative assessments, teachers can identify areas where students may be struggling and adjust their teaching strategies accordingly. This ongoing feedback loop helps educators to refine their instructional methods and personalize the learning experience to better meet the needs of their students.

While measuring student outcomes, assigning final grades, and evaluating teacher performance are important components of the educational process, they are more aligned with summative assessments or other evaluative measures rather than the formative assessments which are meant for continuous improvement.