Teacher observations are an example of which type of assessment?

Teacher observations are an example of which type of assessment?

• A. Formal assessment
• B. Summative assessment
• C. Criterion-referenced assessment
• D. Informal assessment

Answer: (D)

Observing children in the moment is informal assessment. It happens day to day, during regular classroom activities, and is about gathering quick, authentic evidence of a child’s development and skills rather than administering a standardized test. When a teacher notes how a child shares a toy, participates in a group discussion, or uses language during play, they’re collecting informal data that helps guide instruction and supports ongoing learning. This type of assessment is flexible, often ungraded, and aimed at understanding what the child can do in real contexts, not at producing a single score or comparing results to a fixed test. Formal assessment, in contrast, uses standardized procedures and fixed items to produce scores that are often used for accountability. Summative assessment measures what a child has learned at the end of a unit or period, and criterion-referenced assessment checks performance against specific learning criteria. While observations can inform or be aligned with standards, their everyday, natural, and instructional nature best fits the idea of informal assessment.

Observing children in the moment is informal assessment. It happens day to day, during regular classroom activities, and is about gathering quick, authentic evidence of a child’s development and skills rather than administering a standardized test. When a teacher notes how a child shares a toy, participates in a group discussion, or uses language during play, they’re collecting informal data that helps guide instruction and supports ongoing learning. This type of assessment is flexible, often ungraded, and aimed at understanding what the child can do in real contexts, not at producing a single score or comparing results to a fixed test.

Formal assessment, in contrast, uses standardized procedures and fixed items to produce scores that are often used for accountability. Summative assessment measures what a child has learned at the end of a unit or period, and criterion-referenced assessment checks performance against specific learning criteria. While observations can inform or be aligned with standards, their everyday, natural, and instructional nature best fits the idea of informal assessment.