What type of assessments involves ongoing data collection to inform instructional practices?

Formative assessments are designed for ongoing data collection during the learning process. These assessments help educators monitor student understanding and progress over time. By gathering data continuously, teachers can identify areas where students may be struggling or excelling, allowing them to adjust their instructional strategies to better meet the needs of their students. This proactive approach fosters a supportive learning environment and enhances student engagement by providing timely feedback.

In contrast, summative assessments typically occur at the end of a unit or course to evaluate student learning against a standard or benchmark, such as final exams or end-of-term projects. They are not intended for ongoing use to guide instruction.

Diagnostic assessments are employed to pinpoint students' strengths and weaknesses before instruction begins, helping to tailor educational approaches but are not used as part of the ongoing learning process.

Accountability assessments focus on measuring outcomes against predefined standards, often for the purpose of evaluating school or teacher effectiveness, rather than supporting day-to-day instructional decisions.

Overall, formative assessments stand out for their purpose of informing and adapting instruction in real-time, thereby enhancing the teaching and learning experience.