What kind of assessments are primarily used to inform instructional practices during the learning process?

Formative assessments are primarily used to inform instructional practices during the learning process because they are conducted throughout the length of a unit or lesson. These assessments aim to monitor student learning, provide ongoing feedback, and guide both teaching and learning adjustments. They help educators identify areas where students may struggle, allowing for timely intervention and support. By focusing on the process of learning rather than the final outcome, formative assessments foster a more responsive teaching environment, enabling educators to adapt their instruction based on real-time data about student understanding.

Summative assessments, on the other hand, are typically administered at the end of an instructional period to evaluate cumulative knowledge. While they provide insights into student learning outcomes, they do not influence or inform immediate instructional practices. Diagnostic assessments are more focused on identifying students' strengths and weaknesses before instruction begins but do not necessarily shape ongoing teaching strategies as formative assessments do. Standardized tests evaluate student performance against a standard measure and are often used for accountability purposes rather than informing day-to-day instructional practices.