Formative assessment is a teaching strategy that involves gathering information about students' learning progress throughout a lesson or unit. Unlike summative assessment, which evaluates learning at the end of a unit, formative assessment is ongoing and provides immediate feedback to both teachers and students. It helps teachers understand what students know and can do, identify areas of strength and areas that need improvement, and make informed instructional decisions. Formative assessment can take various forms, such as quizzes, observations, discussions, and self-assessments. By regularly assessing student understanding, teachers can tailor their instruction to meet individual needs, provide timely support, and guide students towards achieving their learning goals. Ultimately, formative assessment promotes active learning, student engagement, and continuous improvement in the classroom.