Diagnostic, Formative, and Summative Evaluation Diagnostic evaluation should be done informally and continuously. It is used to assess the strengths and needs of students and to make program adaptations. Formative evaluation should be conducted continuously throughout the course. It is used to improve instruction and learning and to keep both students and teachers aware of the curriculum objectives and the students' progress in meeting those objectives. The results of formative evaluation are analyzed and used to focus the efforts of the teacher and students.
Summative evaluation occurs at the end of an activity, a module, or a semester.
Results can provide information about the effectiveness of instruction and the effectiveness of a course. The results of summative evaluation should form only a portion of the data used to determine students' grades. An appropriate balance of formative and summative evaluation should be used. Because portfolios are purposeful collections of student work, they can serve as the basis for evaluation of student effort, progress, and achievements in journalism studies. A multi-year portfolio can act as a showcase of the student's best work over time from several English language arts courses.