Informing Writing: The Benefits of Formative Assessment report examines whether formative assessment can improve students' writing skills and what techniques are best to help them improve. One tool with potential for improving students' ability to effectively convey thoughts and ideas through text is classroom-based writing assessment. Such formative assessments allow teachers to gauge the effectiveness of their teaching practices, modify their teaching as needed, and provide students with feedback on writing strengths and areas in need of further development. These assessments can be administered in a variety of ways in the classroom, including teachers assessing students' writing, students assessing their own writing, and peers assessing others' writing.