transform your elementary classroom with formative assessments

Written by Jenelle McClenahen

why formative assessments are game-changers for elementary classrooms

When I first started teaching, I thought summative assessments were the gold standard. But over the years, I’ve learned that formative assessments are the real MVPs of the elementary classroom. Why? Because they’re like a GPS for learning—they tell us where students are right now and help us adjust the route before they get lost. Principals love it too because it’s a proactive approach to improving instruction school-wide.

catch issues early with student data

Formative assessments give us a snapshot of what elementary students understand in real time. Unlike summative tests, which only reveal where things went wrong at the end of a unit, formative data empowers teachers to step in and make targeted changes right away.

formative assessment tools for teachers

Here’s the best part: you don’t have to figure it all out alone. SymplifyEd doesn’t just show teachers what needs adjusting—we provide ready-to-use Tier 1 intervention tools tailored for elementary classrooms. Principals, this means your staff can spend less time planning and more time teaching.

real-time impact on student success

The biggest benefit? Students actually get the support they need when they need it, not weeks later. For me, that’s what teaching is all about—meeting students where they are and helping them grow every single day.