What distinguishes formative assessments from summative assessments?

Formative assessments are designed to provide ongoing feedback throughout the learning process, allowing both instructors and students to identify areas of improvement and adjust teaching and learning strategies accordingly. These assessments occur during instruction and can take many forms, such as quizzes, discussions, or activities that gauge student understanding in real-time. This emphasis on continuous feedback helps to enhance learning by addressing student needs as they arise, ultimately fostering a more effective educational environment.

In contrast, summative assessments occur at the end of an instructional period and aim to evaluate student learning against a benchmark or standard, thus serving a different purpose. They are typically more structured and formal, measuring what students have learned over the course rather than providing immediate feedback for growth. Hence, the distinct role of formative assessments in fostering ongoing learning and adaptation makes option C the correct choice.