Assessment For Learning : a comparative study of formative assessment practices in two upper-secondary schools

Formative assessment lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be. Little research has been conducted on formative assessment practices, nor collegial practices in an EFL context. The purpose of the current study is to determine what formative assessment practices are in place in two upper-secondary schools and the impact that collegial learning plays in the adoption of these practices. This qualitative research design comprises four teachers and ten pupils using the focus group interview method. The findings reveal that there are several disparities in the two schools with regards to the adoption of formative practices, with one adhering to summative procedures. Furthermore, one of the more significant findings emerging from this study is that there seems to be a relation between collegial learning and common assessment practices. This finding has pedagogical implications which could be usefully explored in further research. Finally, this study also highlights that formative assessment practices can be implemented successfully without any resistance or reluctance from the learners