Which type of assessment helps teachers understand a student's progress over time?

Formative assessments are designed 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. These assessments occur during the learning process, allowing teachers to identify areas where students may be struggling and adjust instruction accordingly. By regularly assessing students through various means—such as quizzes, discussions, and observational data—teachers gain insight into each student's development over time. This continuous assessment helps educators tailor their approach and ensure that students are progressing toward learning goals.

In contrast, standardized tests typically assess learning at a specific point in time and do not provide insights into individual progress. Diagnostic assessments are used to evaluate a student’s current knowledge and skills before instruction begins, while summative assessments evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional period. Therefore, formative assessments stand out as the best method for tracking student progress over time.