What Are The Key Features Of A Formative Assessment

There are positive and negative features to both types of assessment methods, formative and summative. When considering formative assessments can be seen as positive because it allows practitioners to monitor children’s progress throughout their academic journey rather than focusing on a key time in a child’s life, it is also helpful when planning the next steps throughout their journey as their assessment can be tracked showing preferred ways of learning and interests which are helpful when planning activities for children as well as seeing the next step for the child’s development based from what they have already achieved. Another positive trait of a formative assessment would include highlighting any areas of learning which may be more

It is also evident that formative assessments show how children respond to different activities which can be seen as a benefit because they may thrive with sensory activities but struggle with heuristic activities, however, this can also be a negative feature as the child may be unwell or tired therefore not portraying a true reflection. Some further critiques can be made about formative assessment, such as too much focus on paperwork and time-consuming, this is seen as a negative because it includes prolonged breaks from spending time with the children when writing these up. However, if dealt with correctly this isn’t seen as an issue for example I would complete my formative assessments when the children are asleep from memory or quickly by ticking a checklist on a specific area. One issue could be seen if the setting lacks resources or provisions, for example, assessment sheets or devices if uploaded online, this could leave the assessment backlogged and practitioners may spend time away from the children keeping up to

They are also good to summarise each person’s professional thoughts on the child for example in a two-year check the practitioner can write their thought and add in parts from another professional if they are in partnership such as a physiotherapist. Another positive of summative assessment is how it supports the identification of where children are within their development, what areas the child has been successful and in which they require extra support. For example, a child may excel with physical development and communication and language but struggle with their personal social and emotional, they would require extra support in managing feelings and behaviour, making relationships or self-confidence and self-awareness. Continuing the assessments may raise parental concerns about gaps in the children’s learning, we can then work towards better supporting these children as a team to progress through the gaps. Another positive is the importance of passing on key information to the child’s year one teacher when leaving to start primary school. This information is salient in helping the child settle in as it allows teachers to understand them better including their needs and interests. When opposing