What is the primary purpose of formative assessment in special education?

The primary purpose of formative assessment in special education is to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback. This type of assessment is integrated throughout the instructional process and is designed to inform both teachers and students about understanding and progress. By continuously gathering information on student performance, educators can adjust their teaching strategies to better meet the individual needs of students, identify areas of difficulty, and support skill development in real-time.

Formative assessments can take many forms, such as quizzes, observations, discussions, and informal assessments, all aimed at enhancing the learning experience rather than merely measuring it at the end of a unit. This approach is especially crucial in special education, where individualized instruction is essential for meeting diverse learning needs.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of assessment that fall outside the scope of formative assessment. Summarizing student learning at the end of a unit pertains more to summative assessment, which evaluates students after instruction has occurred. Assessing final outcomes for graduation eligibility also aligns with summative assessment practices that determine overall achievement rather than tracking progress throughout learning. Evaluating teacher performance is primarily concerned with instructional effectiveness and is not directly linked to the monitoring or enhancement of student learning.