Which of the following best describes a method of assessing a student’s learning progress over time?

Formative assessment is a method focused on monitoring student learning to enhance ongoing instruction and support student development. This type of assessment is typically conducted during the learning process, allowing educators to identify areas where students may struggle and adapt teaching strategies accordingly. By providing immediate feedback and opportunities for improvement, formative assessments create a dynamic learning environment that fosters growth.

In contrast, summative assessment generally occurs at the end of an instructional period, evaluating overall learning outcomes rather than tracking progress over time. Performance assessment measures students' ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world or practical situations, while standardized testing involves uniform assessments administered to compare performance against established benchmarks. Both performance assessments and standardized tests serve different functions than formative assessments, which focus specifically on continuous assessment and nurturing student learning throughout the educational process.