What do educators use to measure overall student performance at the end of an instructional unit?

Summative assessment is a comprehensive evaluation method used by educators to measure overall student performance at the conclusion of an instructional unit. This type of assessment is designed to assess the knowledge and skills students have acquired over a specific period, typically after a unit, semester, or course. Examples of summative assessment include final exams, standardized tests, end-of-term projects, or large-scale assessments that provide insights into student learning and the effectiveness of instructional strategies.

The purpose of summative assessments is not only to gauge student understanding for grading purposes but also to inform curriculum planning and instructional practices moving forward. By analyzing the results, educators can identify trends in student performance, recognize areas that may need reinforcement, and make data-driven decisions about future instruction.

In contrast, formative assessments are conducted during the learning process to monitor student progress and provide ongoing feedback. Benchmark assessments are periodic evaluations intended to gauge student performance against set standards, often used throughout a course rather than at its conclusion. Continuous assessments represent an ongoing process of evaluation throughout the instructional period, but they do not provide a summative view of overall performance at the end of an instructional unit like summative assessments do.