Which assessment type is primarily aimed at guiding instructional decisions?

Formative assessment is primarily aimed at guiding instructional decisions because it is intended to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to improve their teaching and by students to enhance their learning. This type of assessment occurs during the learning process and allows educators to identify areas where students are struggling, adjust their instructional strategies, and provide tailored support or interventions.

For example, formative assessments may include quizzes, discussions, observations, and assignments that allow teachers to gauge student understanding in real-time. The insights gained from these assessments inform instructional adjustments and help to create a responsive learning environment. As a result, formative assessment plays a crucial role in facilitating student growth and improving educational outcomes.

Other assessment types, while valuable in their own right, serve different purposes. Normative assessments compare a student's performance to a group standard, summative assessments evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit or after an academic period, and authentic assessments evaluate students' abilities in real-world contexts. Each of these has its place in education, but formative assessment is specifically designed for ongoing instructional development.