Annual state assessments provide information on how students are
doing relative to annual learning standards, i.e., long-term
learning goals. Formative assessment is embedded in classroom
instruction and provides immediate information on short-term
learning goals. Formative assessment data can help teachers plan
instruction. Benchmark assessments occupy a middle position in
the assessment spectrum. They are strategically located and
administered outside daily classroom use but inside the school
and district curriculum. Typically uniform in timing and content
across classrooms and schools, benchmark assessments provide
results that can be aggregated at the classroom, grade, school
and district levels. This information, when provided to school
and district decision-makers and teachers, serves as an interim
indication of how well students are learning and raises
important questions regarding instructional program and practice
impact. It can promote action to accelerate progress toward
annual goals and provide mo