What is the main goal of formative assessment?

The main goal of formative assessment is to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback. This type of assessment is used throughout the learning process to identify areas where students may need improvement and to inform instructional decisions. By focusing on continuous feedback, educators can adapt their teaching strategies to meet the needs of their students, ensuring that learning objectives are being achieved effectively.

Formative assessments can take various forms, such as quizzes, discussions, or observational assessments, allowing teachers to gauge understanding and skills in real-time. This approach helps create an engaging learning environment where students can receive valuable insights into their progress, thus enhancing their educational experience.

Other options reflect different aspects of assessment but do not capture the essence of formative assessment. For instance, assessing overall effectiveness of a curriculum is more aligned with summative assessment. Evaluating final project submissions pertains to a final assessment of learning outcomes, and determining eligibility for advanced courses is more administrative rather than focusing on the learning process. Therefore, option B is the most accurate representation of the purpose of formative assessment.