Formative assessment is an ongoing process that involves gathering and analyzing evidence of students’ thinking, then using what is learned to inform instruction.
Uncover student ideas about DNA, heredity, traits, and more with this set of formative assessment tasks designed for students in grades 9–12.
These tasks are an ideal complement to WestEd’s Making Sense of Student Work protocol — a guide that supports groups of teachers collaboratively analyzing and interpreting student work to inform their instruction.
There are many ways to use these tasks to augment existing instructional activities. The tasks are not intended for use as end-of-unit tests or final assessments, nor are they a complete curriculum.
Formative assessment, effectively implemented, can do as much or more to improve student achievement than any of the most powerful instructional interventions [such as] intensive reading instruction, on-on-one tutoring, and the like.
Preparing Teachers for a Changing World (2005)
- Type: PDF
- Audience: For teachers & coaches
Companion Resources & Services
Genes & Traits
Learn to facilitate hands-on science lessons, support evidence-based discussions, and develop students’ academic language and reading and writing skills in science.
Genes & Traits Course Materials
This comprehensive set of materials supports the professional learning in our 5-day Genes & Traits course.
Making Sense of Student Work PLC Protocol
This protocol supports professional learning communities in collaboratively analyzing student work and uncovering the value in high-quality formative assessment.
Leading a Making Sense of Student Work PLC
Prepare teacher leaders to support and lead PLC meetings using the Making Sense of Student Work protocol. Support for how to use the protocol in-person or remotely are provided.