Formative vs. Summative assessment

• Formative and Summative assessment are two of the most popular buzz words in education. So what do they mean? 

I like to compare Formative and Summative assessment to playing a sport. 

Formative assessment is like a practice. 

• It is about building skills, and practicing new concepts. 
• It is where a person can make mistakes and not get penalized for them (learning should be filled with mistakes). 
• You are not being evaluated during this time. It is practice. 
• This will be the time that there will be the most growth. 

Summative assessment is like a game. 

• You are being evaluated on your ability. 
• How well you do will determine the score of the game.  
• All evaluations are final... until the next game. 
• The coach will use this time to decide what was a mistake, and what was an error. 
• Mistakes are easy fixes, the player can correct these on their own. Sometimes mistakes will need to be pointed out, in order for a player to see them. 
• Errors will probably need to be addressed with further practice, new drills etc. An error is not always easily fixed. 

Formative and Summative assessment work like a cycle and will continue all year long.