What is Balanced Assessment by Formative?
Newsela's Balanced Assessment by Formative includes everything a district needs to connect daily instruction with district-wide assessments and data, driving smarter instruction and stronger alignment.
It includes Formative, Newsela's assessment platform, and the core of a strong assessment framework, along with a variety of other features and available services.
Educators can create and deliver reliable, standards-aligned assessments—from quick classroom checks to district-wide exams—to ensure consistent student progress.
Real-time assessment data, from classroom checks to district-level exams, is centralized in one platform, so educators can make confident, timely decisions that keep learners on track.
Additionally, teachers receive robust instructional tools, shared resources, and real-time insights to deliver engaging instruction that meets the needs of every student, every day of the school year.
Why you'll love it
Newsela’s Balanced Assessment by Formative lets you accelerate student learning with one collaborative assessment platform—connect classroom and district insights to drive smarter instruction and stronger alignment.
What is included?
Formative School & District license Administer classroom assessments, deliver data-informed instruction, and provide targeted feedback—all in one place to accelerate student growth.
Item Bank Use the Item Bank to create high-quality, standards-aligned assessments with pre-made items for Math, ELA, Science, and Social Studies. Customize questions easily, then view detailed item-level performance on standards, questions, and item types.
Respondus LockDown Browser Create a secure testing environment with three levels of security. Block application switching, printing, screen captures, and copying/pasting to ensure exam integrity.
Translations Instantly translates activity text into 30+ languages, supporting multilingual students in real time.
Luna Next Steps Supporting efficient, data-driven instruction at scale. After an assessment is submitted, Luna analyzes student performance against learning standards and instantly recommends Luna Next Steps for enrichment or additional targeted support. Teachers can chat with Luna to further customize Luna Next Steps.
Luna Configuration Studio Luna Configuration Studio lets districts and schools create custom Luna configurations that shape how Luna behaves when generating, reviewing, or editing content. Think of configurations as purpose-built AI assistants, similar to Gemini Gems or custom GPTs, but designed specifically for Formative workflows, assessment creation, and instructional alignment.
Assessment Services*
For qualifying districts, your Balanced Assessment by Formative subscription includes assessment services. A dedicated Assessment Services Partner will work alongside your team to manage the assessment migration process and help facilitate a seamless implementation.
What’s included:
Platform setup: Your Formative account arrives fully configured with your district’s essential integrations, ensuring a smooth, secure launch from day one.
Onboarding and implementation: Your journey is guided by clear roadmaps, shared goals, and regular milestones. Consistent check-ins help your district make meaningful progress every step of the way.
Assessment migration: YYour Assessment Services Partner and our built-in tooling will transfer your existing tests—whether they live in PDFs or another platform—directly into Formative.
Assessment migration is subject to a maximum limit, which may vary based on the format and complexity of individual assessments.
Assessment consultation: Gain deep clarity through analyzed data trends, progress benchmarking, and meaningful insights aligned perfectly with your district's overarching strategic goals.
*Speak with your Newsela representative to see what assessment service options are available to you.
Ready to capture insights in every classroom to meet students' needs district wide? Click here to learn more or use this link to request a quote!