What is a benefit of providing formative assessments during lessons?

Providing formative assessments during lessons is particularly beneficial because they help identify students needing additional support. These assessments allow teachers to gauge students' understanding of the material in real-time, highlighting areas where individuals or groups may be struggling. This immediate feedback can inform instructional practices, enabling teachers to adjust their teaching strategies, provide timely interventions, or offer additional resources tailored to the specific needs of students. Consequently, formative assessments serve as a dynamic tool in the learning process, promoting a targeted approach to enhancing student learning outcomes.

In contrast, the other options focus on aspects that do not align with the primary purpose of formative assessments. For example, counting towards the final grade emphasizes summative assessments, which focus on the overall performance rather than ongoing learning. A definitive measure of student knowledge relates to assessments that provide final evaluations, not those meant to inform instruction. Lastly, simplifying grading pertains more to efficiency rather than the developmental purpose of formative assessments.