How do teachers utilize formative assessments in special education?

Teachers utilize formative assessments in special education primarily to continuously monitor student learning and adjust instruction. This approach allows educators to gather ongoing feedback regarding students’ understanding and mastery of specific skills or content. By using various formative assessment techniques, such as quizzes, observations, and informal evaluations, teachers can identify areas where students may be struggling.

With this information, they can modify their teaching strategies and provide tailored support to meet individual students' needs. For instance, if a student shows difficulty with a specific concept, the teacher can adapt their lesson plan to reinforce that concept through additional practice or alternative instructional methods. This dynamic and responsive teaching model is crucial in special education, where individual differences and learning styles are prevalent.

In contrast, evaluating student performance solely at year-end, predicting future standardized test scores, or assigning grades based on final exams do not embody the proactive and adaptive nature of formative assessments. These approaches focus more on summative evaluations, providing limited insight into a student's ongoing learning process and their immediate educational needs.