Formative Assessment: A Critical Review

In the world of K-12 testing, formative assessment is without a doubt, in vogue. It has become a common theme at educational conferences, a standard offering in test company catalogues, the subject of state requests-for-proposals, and a focus for teacher in-service training. This presentation examines 6 interrelated topics, denoted as follows: the definitional issue, the effectiveness issue, the domain issue, the measurement issue, the professional development issue, and the system issue. Collectively, these topics are important in understanding what formative assessment is; the claims we, as responsible professionals, should be making about it; and what should be expected from using it. The purpose of this presentation is to encourage something largely missing from the discourse around formative assessment today; that is, a frank and judicious dialogue, one that is necessary for moving this promising concept forward.