Book excerpt: Good assessment focuses mainly on improvement and is used to support progress. It helps learners to know how well they have learned and provides feedback on how they can do better; it encourages learners to support and help each other; it builds self-motivation, self-confidence and self-reliance. Sound familiar? These are the principles of formative assessment. They're at the heart of the national Assessment for Learning initiative and they form the core of the "Assessment & Learning Pocketbook". You know the theory but how do you turn it into practice? That's where Ian Smith comes in. Let Ian explain the difference between formative and summative assessment. Let him walk you through writing and sharing learning intentions and success criteria; promoting high quality interaction in lessons, verbal and written feedback, self- and peer- assessment. You'll find classroom strategies and inspiring ideas galore. "Great book: I am hugely impressed by it. It is very accessible, easily read and full of practical tips and strategies which can be easily implemented. I am sure that teachers will be inspired by it." Linda Kirkwood, Rector, Oban High School