Formative Assessment That Empowers.

The article discusses how formative assessments can increase academic achievement and student empowerment. The authors discuss the role of student-teacher communication in formative assessment as a way of increasing self-efficacy and motivation in students and improving teaching practices. They describe a program investigating the effects of formative assessment in the Armstrong School District in Pennsylvania. The program focused on intentional learning and has helped improve academic achievement, student motivation and engagement. The authors note practices to promote independent learning by students and the development of rubrics by students. They comment on the importance of stating educational goals and providing students with relevant feedback.