FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What type of assessment is primarily concerned with mastery learning?

1. Formative assessment

2. Benchmark assessment

3. Summative assessment

4. Diagnostic assessment

The correct answer is: Formative assessment

Mastery learning is an educational philosophy that emphasizes the importance of students fully understanding a concept before moving on to the next one. In this context, formative assessments are primarily concerned with mastery learning because they are designed to be ongoing and interactive. These assessments provide immediate feedback to both teachers and students, allowing for adjustments in teaching methods and learning strategies based on student performance. Formative assessments help to identify students' strengths and weaknesses, guiding them towards mastery of the subject matter. They facilitate a process where teachers can support students in achieving specific learning goals through continuous monitoring and tailored instruction. The ultimate aim is to ensure that each student demonstrates a high level of competence in the material before advancing, aligning perfectly with the principles of mastery learning. In contrast, benchmark assessments typically measure students' performance against a standard or set of expectations, summative assessments evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional period, and diagnostic assessments are used to identify students' specific learning needs prior to instruction. Hence, while all forms of assessment play important roles in the educational process, formative assessment is the one most directly aligned with mastery learning.