Formative assessments are the heartbeat of effective instruction—they tell us, in real time, whether learning actually happened.
For instructional coaches and administrators, AI offers a powerful way to help teachers gather those insights faster and more effectively. By leveraging tools that make exit tickets, bell ringers, and small-group quick checks easy to create and analyze, we can help teachers adjust instruction, boost engagement, and ensure every student leaves the lesson with understanding.
AI doesn’t replace the professional judgment of a teacher—it amplifies it. With just a few clicks, AI can generate aligned formative questions, analyze patterns in responses, and surface which students need more support or challenge.

Formative assessments are more than just quick quizzes—they’re the engine of student growth. When used consistently, they:

• Provide teachers with instant feedback on instructional effectiveness.
  
• Encourage students to take ownership of their learning through reflection and self-checks.
  
• Allow leaders and coaches to support data-driven conversations about teaching and learning.
  

By introducing AI-powered formative tools, coaches and administrators can help teachers move from guessing to knowing—how many students truly understood today’s concept? Which small group needs reteaching? What patterns do we see across classrooms or grade levels?

Step 1: Choose one formative assessment focus area to model with your team:

• Bell Ringer – Kick off the lesson with an AI-generated review question.
• Exit Ticket – Use AI to create reflection or comprehension checks.
• Small-Group Quick Check – Generate targeted questions aligned to today’s mini-lesson.

Step 2: Explore one of these AI tools and model how it can support teachers:

1. Brisk – Generate and analyze writing feedback instantly.
2. SchoolAI – Create formative checks and analyze learning data.
3. Conker – Build quick comprehension or quiz checks in minutes.
4. Curipod – Turn formative assessments into interactive class polls.
5. QuestionWell – Generate tiered questions and exit ticket prompts.
6. Khanmigo – Support formative reasoning and questioning within lessons.

This week, challenge your teachers to test one AI-powered formative assessment in class.

At your next PLC, review together:
✅ Which format worked best (bell ringer, exit ticket, or quick check)?
✅ What did the data reveal about student understanding?
✅ How can those insights shape tomorrow’s instruction?

Formative assessments don’t have to be time-consuming—they just have to be consistent.

With the right AI tools, teachers can check for understanding every day, ensuring no student slips through the cracks.

​Grab a copy of the AI In the Classroom Starter Kit to Learn More. 

Welcome back to Day 3 of the 30-Day AI in the Classroom Challenge! 

Today, we’re tackling one of the simplest and most powerful classroom routines: exit tickets. These short, reflective prompts help you check for understanding, guide tomorrow’s instruction, and give students a voice in their own learning — all in just a few minutes.

While working with teachers, I’ve seen firsthand how formative assessments like exit tickets can transform teaching. Last week, I watched a team of middle school ELA teachers use exit tickets during their small group lessons on author’s purpose. After the small group lesson wrapped up, students completed an exit ticket before transitioning back into their learning studios. The data rolled in quickly — and it showed just how effective the small group instruction had been.

Step 1: Generate the Questions with AI. Use your Day 3 challenge prompt in ChatGPT, Gemini, or MagicSchool:
Prompt:
“Generate three exit ticket questions based on [insert today’s topic or standard]. Include a mix of question types (multiple choice, short answer, emoji scale, and reflection) and provide options for three different reading levels.”

💡 Pro Tip: Copy the questions into a doc first so you can quickly paste them in groups by level.

Step 2: Build a Google Form

​💡 To differentiate, create three sections in the form: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3. You can send each group their link or use branching logic.