The Evidence on Teaching

Formative Assessment: A Critical Review

Bennett, R. E. · 2011

grade Bcritiqueindependentnot-applicable
Sample
Documentary critique
Population
N/A (analysis of the FA evidence base).
Design
Traces the 0.4-0.7 figure to its (non-existent) source and audits the underlying reviews.
Key findings
The definitive deflation of the formative-assessment headline claim. Also makes the deeper point: 'formative assessment' is defined so variously (instrument vs process vs PD) that the program claim is unfalsifiable until the construct is specified.
Genetic confound
N/A.
Replication notes
Widely accepted; no rebuttal has ever produced a computed source for 0.4-0.7.
DOI / URL
10.1080/0969594X.2010.513678

Effects

OutcomeMetricValueMeasureTimingVsHorizonClass
Validity of the 0.4-0.7 claimverdictno computed source exists; underlying reviews confuse association with causation; 57/86 articles in a key source review were 30+ years oldunknownn/anonenot-applicabledomain-skill

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