What Is Formal Assessment In Education?
Definitions – A formal assessment is an evaluation method that uses a grading system to score a student’s level of knowledge. Typically, students respond to the same questions under the same conditions, and the instructor grades them based on the extent to which they satisfied pre-defined requirements.
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What is formal assessment in teaching?
Examples –
Beginning- and end‑of‑year testingELA measures (reading and writing)Standardized math tests
are non‑standardized measures that are often personalized to the student. They can be given flexibly throughout the school year to provide a snapshot of a student’s skill in a specific area at any given time.
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What is formal and informal assessment?
Formal Vs. informal assessment: Key differences –
| FEATURES | FORMAL ASSESSMENT | INFORMAL ASSESSMENT |
| Definition | Formal assessment refers to a grading system-based evaluation to monitor students’ knowledge. | Informal assessment refers to a method of student evaluation that does not have any standard grading criteria. |
| Types | Norm-referenced: teacher measures students’ performance based on their average performance in class. Criterion-referenced: student’s performance is evaluated individually. | Quizzes, writing samples, project-based assignments, presentations, etc. |
| Examples | Tests, quizzes, surveys, and questionnaires. | Exit surveys, observation, and oral presentations. |
| Uses | When teachers want to measure students’ performance based on specific standards or criteria. | When teachers want to have immediate feedback on the student’s knowledge so far. |
| Advantages |
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| Grading system | Uses a rubric or standard assessment criteria. | Teachers use students’ past performances to judge their recent performance. |
| Purpose | To know students’ overall performance at the end of the learning process. Teachers sometimes compare students’ performances with each other. | To track students’ learning progress and any doubts or difficulties they face. |
| Scope |
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| Flexibility | It is controlled by the instructor and they can modify it based on individual student requirements. | It has a pre-defined method of evaluation and instructors have no control over it. |
| Score comparison | Students’ performances are used to compare with other students in the same class or age group. | Students’ performances are compared to their own performances from the past. Hence, it is an individual assessment. |
What are the benefits of formal assessment?
Benefits/When to Use Formal Assessmen t – As a rule of thumb, instructors turn to formal assessment when they need to grade students’ performances. It allows for objectivity and fairness because every student is evaluated using the same criteria.
Formal assessments are reliable and provide concrete and measurable evidence of learning. Using certain strategies, the teacher can make out if the students have learned and understood the subject. It creates an opportunity for feedback on a large scale. After grading standardized tests, teachers can identify the strengths and weaknesses of each student, provide feedback and adjust their instructional methods to address these gaps. Formal assessments eliminate examiner bias because it uses a standard grading system to score students’ knowledge. Formal tests motivate students to be more attentive in classes so they can perform better and get higher grades. Typically, formal evaluation happens at the end of a specific learning process. So, it determines whether a student moves to the next level in their academic pursuit; for instance, getting into college. They are also used to determine how effective educational programs are. Based on formal assessment results, instructions can make curriculum changes or new course placement decisions. It provides a sense of validation for students, especially when they perform excellently in the tests.
What is formal and informal assessment examples?
6 Key Differences Between Formal and Informal Assessment –
| Components | Formal Assessment | Informal Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | It is a way to judge the student’s performance with the help of standardized tools and tests. | It is the type of assessment that doesn’t use standardized tools but checks the student’s performance through observation. |
| Types | There are two major types of formal assessment: norm-referenced assessments and criterion-referenced tests. | Common types of informal assessments are Quizzes, writing samples, and assignments. |
| Scope | A formal assessment can provide a broad view of a student’s knowledge | Informal assessment allows the instructor to go through the analysis of the experience of individual student |
| Flexibility | Well-defined criteria are used in formal assessment, and the instructor cannot deviate from the grading system. | The instructor can adjust informal assessments according to the needs of students. |
| Score Comparison | The instructor compares the student’s performance or score in the same class in a formal assessment. | The instructor compares the student’s performance with his past ones in formal assessment. |
| Purpose | The main purpose of formal assessment is to know about students’ academic progress. | Informal assessment is used to determine the student’s progress and skill level. |
What is the difference between formative and formal assessment?
Formal Formative Assessment and Informal Formative Assessment – 
Often, formative assessments are contrasted with formal assessments, implying that all formative assessments are informal. While it’s true that summative assessments and standardized tests are more formal than common formative assessments, there is still variation in the latter in the degree of formality.
- Educators can assess students by taking notes.
- But there are also valid and reliable scales used by researchers to formatively assess young learners.
- For example, the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) looks at the development continuum from early infancy to kindergarten.
- It contains rating scales that are based on the acquisition of age-appropriate developmental milestones.
Similarly, National Institute of Early Education Research researchers have developed the Early Learning Scale and Kindergarten Early Learning Scale. These scales contain items that are easily measurable and critical to present and future learning. At Sprig Learning, we too have developed our own scale for early learning that is developed by educators, based on best practices and tested for efficacy, accuracy and bias.
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