6.1: Assessment & Feedback

Essential

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RSI ALIGNED CRITERION

The course intentionally sequences formative and summative assessments to monitor student learning, provide meaningful feedback, and support mastery of the learning outcomes.

Criterion Overview

Assessment is most effective when it supports learning throughout the instructional process rather than simply measuring performance at the end. Well-designed courses intentionally combine formative and summative assessments to help students build knowledge, practice new skills, receive feedback, and demonstrate mastery over time.

Formative assessments are low-stakes learning opportunities that monitor student progress while providing timely, specific, and actionable feedback. Activities such as practice exercises, knowledge checks, quizzes, discussions, drafts, reflections, and peer review allow students to identify misconceptions, refine their understanding, and improve before completing major assessments.

Summative assessments evaluate students' mastery of the learning outcomes after they have had opportunities to practice, receive feedback, and improve. Projects, presentations, portfolios, performances, exams, and other culminating assessments provide meaningful evidence of student learning.

Effective course design intentionally connects formative and summative assessments. Students should receive meaningful feedback on formative assessments with sufficient time to apply that feedback before completing high-stakes summative assessments. This sequence encourages continuous improvement, builds confidence, and supports student success throughout the course.

Why It Matters

Students learn best when they receive opportunities to practice before being evaluated. Formative assessments provide instructors with opportunities to monitor learning, identify misconceptions, adjust instruction, and provide timely feedback that supports improvement before students complete major assessments.

A balanced assessment plan encourages continuous learning rather than one-time evaluation. By intentionally connecting formative and summative assessments, instructors create multiple opportunities for students to build confidence, refine their understanding, and demonstrate mastery of the learning outcomes.

What This Looks Like

A well-designed course typically includes:

  • A balance of formative and summative assessments throughout the course.
  • Formative assessments that intentionally prepare students for summative assessments.
  • Timely, specific, and actionable feedback on formative assessments.
  • Opportunities for students to apply feedback before completing major assessments.
  • Assessments that progressively build knowledge and skills throughout the course.
  • Assessment methods aligned with the learning outcomes.
  • Multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate learning before high-stakes evaluations.

Design Tips

Ask yourself: Do my formative assessments provide students with meaningful opportunities to practice, receive feedback, and improve before demonstrating mastery on summative assessments?

✔ Balance formative and summative assessments throughout the course.

✔ Sequence formative activities before major summative assessments.

✔ Provide timely, specific, and actionable feedback that students can apply to future learning.

✔ Design opportunities for students to revise or improve their work before final evaluation.

✔ Use rubrics, checklists, exemplars, or guided feedback to communicate expectations.

✔ Encourage self-assessment, peer feedback, and reflection throughout the learning process.

✔ Ensure formative assessments prepare students for the knowledge and skills required on summative assessments.

Examples

Select each tab to view course enhancement examples.

Building

  • Include low-stakes quizzes, discussions, practice activities, or reflections before major assessments.
  • Provide timely feedback on formative assessments.
  • Align formative assessments with upcoming summative assessments.
  • Use rubrics or checklists to communicate expectations.

Strengthening

  • Sequence drafts, peer review, revisions, and instructor feedback before final submission.
  • Design formative assessments that directly prepare students for summative assessments.
  • Provide opportunities for students to revise work based on instructor feedback.
  • Use multiple formative assessments to monitor progress toward mastery.
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Transforming

  • Design an intentional assessment pathway where formative assessments progressively build toward authentic summative demonstrations of learning.
  • Incorporate instructor, peer, and self-feedback throughout major learning experiences.
  • Use formative assessment data to adjust instruction and provide targeted support.
  • Create opportunities for students to demonstrate growth through multiple learning cycles before final evaluation.