Which term describes comparing a student's performance to a standard rather than to peers, indicating mastery?

Which term describes comparing a student's performance to a standard rather than to peers, indicating mastery?

• A. Assessment
• B. Central Tendency
• C. Criterion-Referenced Measurement
• D. Anecdotal Record

Answer: (C)

Mastery is shown by measuring a student against a fixed standard or criterion, not against how other students perform. This approach, criterion-referenced measurement, evaluates whether the learner has achieved a specific skill or knowledge level defined by the standard. It focuses on what the student can do or know, such as meeting a rubric’s criteria or reaching a benchmark, regardless of classmates’ results. That’s different from assessments that compare scores to peers (norm-referenced) or general observations (anecdotal records) or just anything labeled as an assessment without tying it to a concrete standard. For example, a test that requires demonstrating a skill with a rubric and a passing threshold shows mastery when the student meets or exceeds the criterion, not when they simply rank above or below others.

Mastery is shown by measuring a student against a fixed standard or criterion, not against how other students perform. This approach, criterion-referenced measurement, evaluates whether the learner has achieved a specific skill or knowledge level defined by the standard. It focuses on what the student can do or know, such as meeting a rubric’s criteria or reaching a benchmark, regardless of classmates’ results. That’s different from assessments that compare scores to peers (norm-referenced) or general observations (anecdotal records) or just anything labeled as an assessment without tying it to a concrete standard. For example, a test that requires demonstrating a skill with a rubric and a passing threshold shows mastery when the student meets or exceeds the criterion, not when they simply rank above or below others.