In an educational context, what does formative assessment primarily focus on?

Formative assessment primarily focuses on student progress. This type of assessment is intended to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to enhance their teaching and help students improve their understanding and skills. The key characteristic of formative assessment is its emphasis on real-time insights into the learner's performance, allowing adjustments to be made throughout the learning process.

Unlike final grades, which summarize overall performance at the end of an instructional period, or overall achievements that take a broader view of accomplishments, formative assessment zeroes in on specific aspects of learning as they happen. Similarly, class ratings typically assess the overall effectiveness of a course or instructor rather than the individual progress of students. Thus, the focus on student progress in formative assessment is crucial for identifying strengths and areas needing improvement.