What type of evaluation highlights the strengths and weaknesses of a program through formative assessment?

The type of evaluation that highlights the strengths and weaknesses of a program through formative assessment is process-based evaluation. This approach focuses on the implementation of a program and allows instructors or evaluators to gather feedback during the development and execution phases. By regularly assessing the processes involved in a program, evaluators can identify areas that are functioning well and those that need improvement, thereby facilitating continuous improvement and refinement of the program.

Process-based evaluation emphasizes the qualitative aspects of education and training, helping to ensure that instructional methods and materials are effective in real-time rather than only at the conclusion of a program. This can involve methods like observational assessments, feedback from participants, and ongoing dialogues between instructors and learners, making it an essential tool for enhancing the educational experience as it unfolds.

In contrast, goals-based evaluation would focus more on whether specific goals were met, while outcomes-based evaluation emphasizes the final results or impacts of the program rather than the process. Summative evaluation, on the other hand, occurs at the end of a program to assess its overall effectiveness rather than during its development, which is not aligned with the formative assessment that process-based evaluations leverage.

By understanding this context, it's clear why process-based evaluation is the most appropriate answer in highlighting strengths and weaknesses through formative assessment.