When using formative assessments, what should primarily guide a teacher's decisions?

When using formative assessments, the primary focus should be on how to adjust instruction to address students' needs. This approach is grounded in the understanding that formative assessments are designed to provide ongoing feedback about student learning, allowing teachers to identify areas where students may be struggling and adjust their teaching methods accordingly.

By analyzing information gained from formative assessments, teachers can tailor their instructional strategies, provide targeted support, and modify lesson plans to better meet the diverse learning needs of their students. This responsive approach enhances the learning experience and promotes student growth.

In contrast, focusing on improving test scores may lead to a narrow approach that prioritizes performance over true understanding and skill development. Creating additional assessments without a clear understanding of student needs can result in an unnecessary workload for both educators and students. Increasing classroom participation is valuable, but it should not overshadow the fundamental goal of using formative assessments, which is to enhance instruction to optimize student learning outcomes.