Formative Assessment: A Core Element of Culturally Responsive Teaching

1 September 2025

Let’s face it — education isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal. Students walk into classrooms every day carrying their own unique cultures, languages, backgrounds, and life experiences. That’s a lot of diversity to pack into a single room. So, if teaching practices don’t reflect that rich variety, then something’s off — big time. One super effective way to make sure we’re meeting students where they are? Say hello to formative assessment — and not just any kind, but the kind that’s deeply rooted in culturally responsive teaching.

Sounds like a mouthful, right? Don’t worry, we’re going to break it all down. Whether you're a teacher, a school leader, or just a curious soul, this article will walk you through why formative assessment isn’t just useful — it’s essential for culturally responsive classrooms.

What Is Formative Assessment… Really?

Before we dive into the cultural stuff, let’s get clear on what formative assessment actually is. Spoiler alert: it’s not a pop quiz.

Formative assessments are low-stakes, in-the-moment check-ins that help teachers understand how students are learning. Unlike final exams or standardized tests, these little gems happen during the learning process — think exit tickets, quick thumbs-up/thumbs-down polls, student journaling, or think-pair-share activities.

The goal? To get a pulse on student understanding so you can tweak instruction on the fly. It’s like GPS for learning — you’re constantly rerouting based on where your students are.

What’s Culturally Responsive Teaching?

Okay, now let’s talk culture. Culturally responsive teaching (CRT) is an approach that recognizes the importance of including students’ cultural backgrounds in all aspects of learning. It’s not just about tossing in a few multicultural books or celebrating heritage months — it’s a mindset.

In a CRT classroom, students' languages, traditions, family structures, and ways of knowing aren’t just acknowledged — they’re celebrated, integrated, and leveraged to promote deeper learning.

So where do formative assessments fit in? Oh, buckle up — this is where things get powerful.

Why Formative Assessment is a Core Element of CRT

1. It Centers Student Voice

One of the biggest tenets of culturally responsive teaching is that students aren’t empty vessels. They’ve got knowledge. They’ve got stories. They’ve got insights. Formative assessment creates space for that.

When a teacher asks an open-ended question or uses journaling as a check-in tool, students share their thoughts. In their own words. From their own experience. This isn’t just helpful for teaching — it gives students the mic and says, “Your voice matters here.” How empowering is that?

2. It Enables Real-Time Inclusivity

Ever had a student nod along all class, then bomb the test? Yeah, we’ve all been there. Formative assessments help avoid that trainwreck by giving you a constant feedback loop.

And when you design those assessments with cultural responsiveness in mind — like using multiple languages, or drawing from community-based knowledge — you’re not just checking comprehension. You’re making sure every student sees themselves in the learning.

3. It Builds Authentic Relationships

Let’s be real: trust is everything in teaching. When students feel seen and heard, they’re more likely to engage, participate, and take risks in their learning. Formative assessments often involve dialogue — journaling, peer discussions, conferences — which naturally open up space for student-teacher connection.

Think of it like a conversation instead of a lecture. The more you talk with your students (not at them), the more you understand where they’re coming from — culturally and academically.

4. It Shifts the Power Dynamic

Traditional assessments often feel like a top-down, test-and-sort system. But formative assessment flips that script. It says, “Hey, let’s figure this out together.”

That’s a game-changer in CRT. When students co-create rubrics, self-assess their work, or give peer feedback, they’re not just passive participants anymore. They’re collaborators in the learning journey — and that aligns perfectly with the values of culturally responsive education.

Formative Assessment Examples That Are Culturally Responsive

Let’s get practical. It’s one thing to talk the talk, but real change happens when we walk the walk. So here are some examples of formative assessments that actually honor student diversity:

✍️ Journaling With Cultural Prompts

Ask students to reflect on a concept through the lens of their own experiences. Example: “How does your culture or family view fairness, and how does that connect with our lesson on justice?”

🤝 Peer Interviews

Instead of always writing solo essays, have students interview each other about life experiences that relate to classroom themes. Bonus: It builds empathy and intercultural understanding.

🎨 Visual Storytelling

Not every student thrives in written expression. Let them draw, create mind maps, or use photos to show what they’re learning. This opens up assessment modes for those from oral or visual cultures.

🎤 Exit Tickets... With a Twist

Instead of just asking, “What’d you learn today?” try more open and culturally relevant prompts like, “What from today’s lesson reminded you of something in your life or community?”

🌍 Incorporate Multilingual Tools

Allow students to respond in their native language when appropriate or use culturally familiar metaphors and idioms to make meaning. It’s not just inclusive — it’s affirming.

The Role of Bias in Assessment — And How Formative Assessment Helps

Let’s not sugarcoat it — bias is real. And it sneaks into assessments more than we’d like to admit. From the wording of questions to expectations around “correct” answers, assessments often carry unspoken cultural assumptions.

Formative assessment gives you a priceless opportunity to identify and interrupt those biases:

- Is your question phrased in a way that assumes prior knowledge only familiar to one group?
- Are your “correct answers” leaving out alternative ways of knowing?
- Are you equating silence with disengagement?

Because formative assessments are flexible and informal, you can adjust on the fly. You can let students show understanding in multiple ways. You can shift language and context. That adaptability is pure gold for equity.

How to Make Your Formative Assessments More Culturally Responsive

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Small changes can have a big impact. Here’s a quick checklist to guide you:

✅ Know Your Students

Seriously — take the time to learn about their lives, families, communities, and identities. The more you know, the better you can shape assessments to resonate.

✅ Offer Choice

Provide options for how students show their understanding — writing, speaking, drawing, performing. Choice honors different cultural and learning styles.

✅ Use Real-World Contexts

Design your checks for understanding around scenarios rooted in students’ lives. Think pop culture, local news, or community issues. When content connects, retention skyrockets.

✅ Normalize Reflection

Build in time for students to reflect on what works for them and why. Reflection is a culturally powerful tool — and it promotes metacognition like nothing else.

✅ Invite Dialogue

Assessment shouldn’t be a monologue. Make it a conversation. Confer with students, invite feedback, and adjust.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s keep it real — even the best intentions can go sideways. Here are a few pitfalls to dodge:

- Assuming ‘fair’ means ‘equal’: Giving every student the same assessment doesn’t level the playing field. Equity means giving students what they need, not what’s identical.

- Using language that confuses rather than clarifies: Watch for idioms, jargon, or culturally loaded terms that might not land for every student.

- Mistaking silence for comprehension or defiance: Some cultures value listening over speaking. Don’t confuse quiet with disengagement.

- Only assessing through text: Not everyone finds their voice on paper. Mix it up.

Bottom Line: Relationships Drive Results

Formative assessment isn’t magic. But when it’s grounded in culturally responsive teaching, it becomes a tool for connection, equity, and transformation. It tells students, “I’m listening.” It says, “You belong here.” And that message? It’s more powerful than any grade.

Every day, educators get a chance to reimagine what's possible in the classroom. By rooting assessment in student culture, experience, and humanity, you don’t just teach. You liberate.

So next time you're planning a lesson, ask yourself: How will I check for understanding — and how can I do it in a way that honors who my students are?

That’s not just good teaching. That’s transformative teaching.