Formative evaluation is an ongoing classroom process that keeps students and educators informed of students' progress towards program learning objectives. The main purpose of formative evaluation is to improve instruction and student learning. It provides teachers with valuable information upon which instructional modifications can be made. This type of evaluation helps teachers understand the degree to which students are learning the course material and the extent to which their knowledge, understandings, skills, and attitudes are developing. Students are provided direction for future learning and are encouraged to take responsibility for their own progress.
Summative evaluation occurs most often at the end of a unit of study.
Its primary purpose is to determine what has been learned over a period of time, to summarize student progress, and to report on progress relative to curriculum objectives to students, parents, and educators. Seldom are evaluations strictly formative or strictly summative. For example, summative evaluation can be used formatively to assist teachers in making decisions about changes to instructional strategies or other aspects of students' learning programs. Similarly, formative evaluation may be used to assist teachers in making summative judgements about student progress. However, it is important that teachers make clear to students the purpose of assessments and whether they will later be used summatively.