When should assessments for learning be conducted?

Assessments for learning should be conducted throughout the learning process, as this approach allows educators to gather ongoing feedback about student understanding and skills development. Continuous assessment helps identify learning gaps and informs instructional adjustments to better meet the needs of individual students. By integrating assessments at various stages, teachers can create a more dynamic and responsive learning environment. This method not only enhances student engagement but also promotes self-reflection and encourages students to take ownership of their learning journey.

The reason that options like conducting assessments only at the end of the school year, before a lesson starts, or after a lesson concludes are less effective is that they fail to provide the continuous feedback necessary for real-time adjustments. End-of-year assessments may summarize knowledge but do not address immediate learning needs or misconceptions. Assessments conducted solely before a lesson can provide limited insight into prior knowledge but do not support learning as it occurs. Finally, assessments after lessons may help gauge understanding but miss the opportunity to influence learning during the process itself.