"Formative data" refers to the information or feedback that helps shape, develop, or mold something or someone. It provides valuable insights and knowledge that can be used to improve or make changes. Full definition
This includes assisting teachers with strategies to implement highly effective instructional practices in their classrooms and to use formative data regularly to identify and address student learning difficulties. (ctacusa.com)
Local education agencies and schools have myriad challenges to making decisions based on a mountain of formative data. (earlywarningsystems.org)
The bottom line is that even where standards are common, they're not always the same requiring a semi customized solution to aggregate formative data from multiple sources. (gettingsmart.com)