What impact does formative assessment have when used to guide instructional planning?

Formative assessment plays a significant role in guiding instructional planning because it provides educators with real-time feedback on student understanding, skills, and needs. By regularly assessing students’ progress, teachers can identify areas where students may be struggling and adjust their instruction accordingly. This adaptability helps ensure that all students, including those with disabilities, receive the support they need to succeed academically.

Through formative assessment, educators can tailor their teaching methods, materials, and interventions based on the data collected. This might include changing instructional strategies, modifying assessments to better align with student capabilities, or providing additional resources for students who require extra help. As a result, formative assessment fosters a more responsive and individualized approach to education, ultimately enhancing student learning outcomes.

Other options suggest limited or adverse impacts or that only certain groups benefit from formative assessments, which fails to recognize the broad advantages that formative assessments offer across diverse learners in the classroom.