Common Formative Assessments (CFAs)
Recommended Frequency: 1–2 times per month
CFAs are short, focused assessments designed to inform real-time instruction.
Best for:
PLC discussions
quick instructional adjustments
identifying misconceptions early
In Magma
Problem Analysis helps teachers review:
question-by-question performance
common errors
standards trends
Best Practice
Build CFAs directly into pacing guides so they remain consistent throughout the year.
Magma Screener (BOY / MOY / EOY)
Recommended Frequency: Beginning, middle, and end of year
Screeners help identify:
unfinished learning
intervention needs
grade-level readiness
In Magma
Screeners are pre-built and ready to assign.
Best Practice
Use screener results to support intervention planning and instructional grouping.
Unit Assessments
Recommended Frequency: About once per unit
Unit assessments evaluate mastery of all standards and skills within a single instructional unit.
Best for:
grading
standards mastery
unit-level performance analysis
In Magma
Some curriculum-aligned assessments are pre-built directly into the platform.
Best Practice
Keep unit assessments standardized across classrooms for stronger comparison data.
Benchmark Assessments
Recommended Frequency: 2–4 times per year
Benchmarks measure cumulative understanding across multiple units.
Best for:
progress monitoring
subgroup analysis
district-level review
In Magma
Benchmark data supports large-scale performance analysis across schools and classrooms.
Best Practice
Establish a clear response plan before administering benchmarks.
Final Assessments
Recommended Frequency: End of year
Final assessments evaluate overall grade-level mastery.
Best for:
summative grading
transition planning
year-end reporting
In Magma
Final assessment data can help support transitions between grade levels and teachers.
Best Practice
Use final assessment results alongside CFA and unit assessment data for stronger instructional context.
Making Assessment Data Actionable
Assessment data is most powerful when teams have clear answers to:
who reviews the data
when it is reviewed
how instructional decisions will be made
If your team is unsure where to begin, your Magma team can help build an assessment plan that fits your instructional goals.