Using Formative Assessment to Improve Student Outcomes in Classrooms

“Formative Assessment—the process of interpreting data on student performance to adapt instruction to individual needs-is perhaps the single most powerful tool available to teachers to help every student succeed to their full potential.”

With that bold statement, Michael W. Connell sets out to unpack formative assessment for the reader—what it is, how it works, and why it is so essential for learner growth. Connell shows how to incorporate formative assessment into different teaching methods and settings, such as flipped classrooms, programmed instruction, and more. The goal: to improve every student’s performance and provide the benefits of individualized instruction even in group settings.

Using Formative Assessment is available in paperback ($12.00, 96 pages, ISBN: 9781930583047), and accessible EPUB ($12.00, ISBN: 9781930583221) format.

Using Formative Assessment is the fourth title in the CAST Skinny Books™ series. Skinny Books are essential “multivitamins”, designed for busy educators. Designed for the educator who needs immediate, actionable knowledge, each book delivers the core concept in a small, digestible format. In a world of overwhelming professional development, these are resource-packed guides you can read in one sitting, while still serving as a handy reference for years to come. Check out the other CAST Skinny Books to learn more!

Table of Contents

• About the Author
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Individualized Instruction Is Central to All Great Teaching
  • Key Takeaways
• Chapter 2: Why Should Teachers Care about Formative Assessment?
  • Why Is Formative Assessment Necessary?
  • Formative Assessment—Perhaps the Most Powerful Teaching Tool We Know
  • Key Takeaways
• Chapter 3: Components of Formative Assessment in Practice
  • Example #1: Arithmetic
  • Example #2: Social Studies
  • How Can Classroom Teachers Use Formative Assessment More Effectively?
  • Evaluating Teaching Methods with Respect to Their Use of Formative Assessment
  • Key Takeaways
• Chapter 4: Formative Assessment in Some Group Instruction Scenarios
  • Interactive Lecture
  • The Flipped Classroom
  • Programmed Instruction
  • Adaptive Educational Software
  • Teacher Dashboard
  • Summary
  • Key Takeaways
• Chapter 5: Closing Thoughts
  • Let’s Connect!
  • References