10 notable features of formative assessment, before you design it

Cizek identified 10 elements as notable features of formative assessment:

1. It requires students to take responsibility for their own learning.
2. It communicates clear, specific learning goals.
3. It focuses on goals that represent valuable educational outcomes with applicability beyond the learning context.
4. It identifies the student's current knowledge/skills and the necessary steps for reaching the desired goals.
5. It requires development of plans for attaining the desired goals.
6. It encourages students to self-monitor progress toward the learning goals.
7. It provides examples of learning goals including, when relevant, the specific grading criteria or rubrics that will be used to evaluate the student's work.
8. It provides frequent assessment, including peer and student self-assessment and assessment embedded within learning activities.
9. It includes feedback that is non-evaluative, specific, timely, and related to the learning goals, and that provides opportunities for the student to revise and improve work products and deepen understandings.
10. It promotes metacognition and reflection by students on their work.

Cizek, G. J. (2010). "An introduction to formative assessment: History, characteristics, and challenges." In H. Andrade & G. Cizek (Eds.), Handbook of formative assessment (pp. 3–17).New York: Routledge.