Formative or Summative?
Assessment Data
ELL & Special Needs
Classroom Scenarios
100

A teacher asks students to hold up mini-whiteboards to show their answer during a lesson.

Formative

100

True or False: A single test score always gives a complete picture of student learning.

False

100

A student receives extra processing time during an assessment. Is this an accommodation or a modification?

Accommodation

100

Students complete a thumbs-up/thumbs-down check during a lesson. Which InTASC Standard 6 area does this demonstrate?

Formative assessment / 6.1

200

A student completes an end-of-unit assessment.

Summative

200

A teacher notices that several students are struggling with the same skill. What should the teacher consider doing?

Adjust instruction/reteach the skill.

200

A teacher provides a word bank so an ELL student can demonstrate their understanding of science vocabulary. What barrier is the teacher addressing?

Language

200

A teacher notices through several assessments that one student consistently struggles with reading comprehension. Which guiding question is most directly connected?

6.2

300

A teacher uses an exit ticket to decide what to reteach tomorrow.

Formative

300

Why might a teacher use several different assessments instead of only one?

To obtain a more complete picture of student understanding and needs.

300

True or False: Providing an accommodation automatically means lowering the learning expectation.

False

300

A teacher changes the assessment environment so a student can work in a quieter area with fewer distractions. Which guiding question is this connected to?

6.3

400

A final project is graded against the learning objectives at the end of a unit.

Summative

400

A student's assessment shows they are struggling with the same skill across several weeks. What should the teacher use this information for?

Planning targeted support and monitoring progress.

400

A student understands a math concept but struggles to explain their thinking in English. What could the teacher provide to help the student demonstrate their mathematical understanding?

Examples could include visuals, manipulatives, sentence frames, key vocabulary, or an alternative way to demonstrate understanding.

400

A teacher collects assessment data but does not change instruction or provide additional support. Which important part of Standard 6 is missing?

Using assessment data to diagnose needs, monitor progress, and guide planning.