Criterion-referenced

Criterion-referenced assessments and evaluations measure a student's performance against a predefined set of criteria or specific learning objectives, rather than in comparison to other students. The focus is on determining what a student knows or can do relative to these established standards, irrespective of the performance of their peers. Mastery of the criteria is the primary goal, and scores reflect the degree to which a student has met those standards. These assessments are crucial for identifying individual strengths and weaknesses and guiding instruction to address specific learning needs. They are often used to evaluate specific skills or knowledge attainment.

Criterion-referenced meaning with examples

• In the elementary school's reading program, students' fluency and comprehension are evaluated using criterion-referenced assessments. Each student is assessed against a predetermined benchmark for words per minute and their understanding of the text. This enables teachers to identify areas where students require extra reading support to achieve the benchmarks.
• The final exam in a physics class is a criterion-referenced test. The exam scores would show how many points the students earned related to the content. Students are graded based on mastery of specific concepts, such as Newton's laws of motion and energy conservation, instead of comparing their scores to others in the class, providing more customized feedback.
• A driving test is a practical example of criterion-referenced assessment. The test assesses a driver's ability to execute parking, lane changes, and obey traffic laws. Success hinges on meeting specific performance standards, not on how well the candidate drives compared to others taking the test. Passing depends on demonstrating competence in each task.
• A coding boot camp utilizes criterion-referenced evaluations for its projects. Each project, such as building a website, is assessed according to a rubric that defines the expected functionalities and coding standards. Students are assessed against these clear criteria, allowing for individualized feedback and clear expectations for success within the specified parameters.