The Role of Individual and Contextual Factors in Teachers' Inclination to Implement Formative Evaluation

Selection and implementation of formative evaluation as one of the alternative methods of traditional evaluation, despite its advantages and attractiveness, has faced many difficulties and challenges. The current survey research, with a quantitative approach, examines the individual and contextual factors that affect teachers' performance in this regard. For this purpose, a statistical sample of 592 participants was selected from among the primary and secondary teachers in West Mazandaran through random cluster sampling. They answered a questionnaires measuring teachers' performance in formative evaluation. The data were analyzed using factor analysis and structural equation modeling. As a result, while confirming the validity and reliability of the questionnaires, it was found that teachers' self-efficacy, the population of teachers working in the school, and the school's support for teachers have the greatest impact on the implementation of formative evaluation. Also, middle school teachers showed more interest in this method of evaluation. In addition, teaching experience and tendency to formative evaluation had a reverse relationship. The results showed that factors such as students' characteristics and the subject of the course do not have a significant effect on teachers' willingness and performance in formative evaluation. Finally, suggestions are provided regarding significance of practical techniques and a supportive environment to encourage using formative evaluation.