When attempting to improve instructional practices, teachers should focus on which type of assessment for actionable feedback?

Focusing on formative assessments is crucial for providing actionable feedback aimed at improving instructional practices. Formative assessments are designed to gather ongoing information about student learning during the instructional process. They enable teachers to identify areas where students are struggling and adjust their teaching strategies accordingly.

By utilizing formative assessments, educators can collect real-time data that guides immediate instructional adjustments, fostering a responsive learning environment. This type of assessment encourages student involvement and helps in setting personal learning goals, which allows for tailored support to enhance student understanding and performance over time.

In contrast, diagnostic assessments typically occur before instruction to determine students' baseline knowledge, while summative assessments evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit. Behavioral assessments focus on student behavior rather than academic understanding. Each of these forms of assessment has its place in the educational process, but for the purpose of refining instructional methods and driving student improvement through ongoing feedback, formative assessments are the most appropriate choice.