What fundamental role does formative assessment play in the educational process?

Formative assessment plays a crucial role in the educational process by providing ongoing insights for adjusting teaching strategies. This form of assessment occurs during the learning process rather than at the end, enabling educators to gather real-time feedback on student understanding and progress. By regularly assessing students' comprehension through informal quizzes, observations, or discussions, teachers can identify areas where students may struggle and adjust their instructional methods accordingly. This continuous feedback loop helps enhance student learning outcomes, as educators can tailor their approaches, provide additional support, or modify content in response to students' needs.

In contrast, other roles suggested in the options pertain to summative assessment, categorization, or primary evaluation, which do not reflect the dynamic and adaptive nature of formative assessment’s function in shaping learning experiences.