Which statement best describes the difference between formative and summative assessments?

The distinction between formative and summative assessments is well captured in the statement that formative assessments monitor ongoing learning while summative assessments evaluate overall outcomes.

Formative assessments are designed to provide ongoing feedback to both teachers and students, allowing for adjustments and improvements throughout the learning process. They are usually low stakes and occur during the learning phase, such as quizzes, discussions, or peer reviews. This continuous monitoring helps educators to identify areas where students may struggle and adjust instruction accordingly.

On the other hand, summative assessments are typically administered at the end of an instructional period to evaluate what students have learned and the overall success of the educational program. These assessments are often high stakes, like final exams or standardized tests, and serve to measure student learning against a set standard or goal.

This understanding clearly distinguishes formative as focusing on the process of learning and providing the necessary feedback to enhance it, while summative is concerned with measuring the final outcomes of that learning process.