During the Formative Assessment, evaluators assess educator progress towards attaining goals set forth in Educator Plans, performance on Performance Standards, or both. A Formative Assessment is most valuable when it is used to prompt reflection, promote dialogue between educators and evaluators, and discuss changes to practice, goals, or planned activities when adjustments are necessary.

The Formative Assessment usually occurs at the midpoint of an educator's plan. For educator's on plans of 1 year or less in duration, a Formative Assessment occurs halfway through the plan.