§ Lord Ardwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
For definition of the following terms, which they are using in connection with the Education Reform Bill: "formative testing", "diagnostic testing" and "summative testing".
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Education and Science (Baroness Hooper)These terms describe the various purposes of assessment and testing. Many tests and other assessment intrustments can help fulfil more than one purpose. "Formative" involves identifying both the positive achievements and the weaknesses of pupils—what they know and can do—so that teachers can plan the next steps in their education. "Diagnostic" assessment is more specialised; it follows up formative assessment in individual cases, to find out why a pupil has particular learning difficulties so that appropriate remedial help can be given. "Summative" assessment records overall attainment by a pupil at a specific point in time.