What aspect of assessments can help promote a growth mindset?

Emphasizing learning progress and effort is integral to fostering a growth mindset. This approach encourages individuals to see intelligence and abilities as qualities that can be developed through dedication and hard work. When assessments highlight progress and the effort put into learning, they help students recognize their potential for improvement over time. This perspective shifts the focus from merely achieving high scores or outperforming peers to valuing personal development and resilience in the face of challenges.

Recognizing and celebrating incremental progress creates an environment where learners feel more motivated and less afraid of failure, as they understand that effort and persistence play significant roles in their academic journeys. This is essential for promoting a mindset that values growth and lifelong learning. In contrast, focusing on innate ability, final exam results, or comparisons to classmates tends to reinforce the idea that success is based on fixed traits or competitive standings, which can inhibit one's willingness to take risks in learning and to embrace challenges.