Formal standardized testing is a type of assessment that is administered to a large group of students under standardized conditions. The results of standardized tests are often used to compare students to each other, to track student progress over time, and to make decisions about placement and promotion.

Pros of formal standardized testing:

• Standardized tests can provide a common metric for comparing students across different schools, districts, and states. This can be helpful for identifying students who are struggling and need additional support, as well as for tracking the progress of educational reforms.
• Standardized tests can be used to hold schools accountable for student learning. For example, schools may be required to meet certain performance standards on standardized tests in order to receive funding or accreditation.
• Standardized tests can help to ensure that all students are being taught the same essential skills and knowledge. This is because standardized tests are based on state or national curriculum standards.

Cons of formal standardized testing:

• Standardized tests can be narrow in scope and may not assess all of the important skills and knowledge that students need to learn. For example, standardized tests typically focus on academic subjects such as math and reading, and they may not assess important skills such as creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving.
• Standardized tests can be stressful for students, and they may lead to students focusing on “teaching to the test” rather than on learning for deep understanding.
• Standardized tests can be biased against certain groups of students, such as students from low-income families and students of color. This is because standardized tests are often developed and normed on white, middle-class students.

Two other types of assessment that teachers can use are formative assessment and summative assessment.

Formative assessment is a type of assessment that is used to monitor student learning and to provide feedback to students and teachers. Formative assessments are typically low-stakes and can be used on a daily or weekly basis.

Examples of formative assessment:

• Teacher observations
• Exit tickets
• Quizzes
• Homework assignments
• Group work
• Projects

Summative assessment is a type of assessment that is used to measure student learning at the end of a unit or course. Summative assessments are typically high-stakes and can be used to make decisions about grades and placement.

Examples of summative assessment:

• Tests
• Exams
• Essays
• Portfolios
• Performances

How formative and summative assessments can inform teaching and student learning:

Formative assessment can inform teaching by providing teachers with data on how well students are understanding the material and what areas they need additional support in. This data can be used to adjust lesson plans and to provide targeted instruction to students.

Summative assessment can inform teaching by providing teachers with data on how well students have learned the material at the end of a unit or course. This data can be used to identify students who need additional support and to make decisions about future instruction.

Here are some specific examples of how formative and summative assessments can be used to inform teaching and student learning:

• A teacher gives students a short quiz at the beginning of a lesson to assess their prior knowledge on the topic. The teacher uses the results of the quiz to inform the rest of the lesson, making sure to provide additional instruction on any areas where students are struggling.
• A teacher gives students a practice test at the end of a unit to help them prepare for the summative test. The teacher uses the results of the practice test to identify students who need additional support and to provide them with targeted review.
• A teacher uses the results of a summative essay to assess students’ writing skills and to identify areas where they need improvement. The teacher uses this information to develop lesson plans for the next writing unit.

**Overall, both formative and summative assessments can be valuable tools for informing teaching and student learning. When used effectively, assessments can help teachers to:

• Identify students who need additional support
• Monitor student progress
• Provide feedback to students
• Adjust lesson plans