Formative assessment can have multiple meanings but for the purposes of the classroom, we will be concerned with the formal use of exams or quizzes. There will be at least two diagnostic quizzes on below grade level usually involving integers and fractions. The initial diagnostic quiz will not be counted in the grade but used to inform instruction and measure growth by the end of the term.

Achieve the Core has created very useful formative assessments of what is expected of each of the Common Core Math Standards. According to Achieve the Core:

Shifts in Mathematics

1. Focus strongly where the Standards focus

2. Coherence: Think across grades, & link to major topics within grades

3. Rigor: in major topics pursue: conceptual understanding, procedural skill and fluency, and application with equal intensity.