What is involved in a summative assessment?

A summative assessment involves documenting learning outcomes to evaluate what knowledge or skills students have acquired at the end of an instructional period. This type of assessment is typically conducted after the instruction has been completed and is used to measure the effectiveness of a course, program, or lesson. It can include final exams, projects, or presentations that reflect the learning that has taken place.

The focus on documenting learning outcomes means that educators can determine whether the learning objectives were met and assess overall student performance. This information is critical for understanding the success of the instructional strategies used and can guide future teaching practices.

Other options, while related to the educational process, do not align with the definition of summative assessment. Adjustments during instruction refers to formative assessments, which occur throughout the learning process. Pre-course evaluations are conducted before instruction begins and serve different purposes, such as gauging prior knowledge or readiness. Ongoing feedback collection is also associated with formative assessments, focusing on providing continuous guidance and improvement during the learning experience, rather than measuring the outcomes after completion.