The criterion referenced assessment measures a child’s skills and knowledge against a set standard, rather than comparing their performance to other children. It helps determine what a child knows or can do at a certain point in their development.
The criterion referenced assessment measures a child’s skills and knowledge against a set standard, rather than comparing their performance to other children. It helps determine what a child knows or can do at a certain point in their development.
How is the criterion referenced assessment different from other tests?
Unlike norm-referenced tests, which compare kids to a group, the criterion referenced assessment focuses on whether your child has mastered specific skills.
When is the criterion referenced assessment used?
It’s often used in special education to help tailor Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) to a child’s unique learning needs.
Can the criterion referenced assessment help my child's teacher?
Yes, it gives teachers precise data to understand where a child might be struggling and where they excel, helping them to adapt teaching methods accordingly.
The criterion referenced assessment is a standardized assessment tool that evaluates an individual’s performance against a predetermined set of criteria or learning standards. The test results indicate whether the person has achieved mastery of the specific knowledge or skills being measured. Criterion-referenced assessments are often used in educational settings to assess student learning and guide instructional decisions.
Criterion referenced assessments are valuable tools for assessing and supporting kids with special needs:
| Test Feature | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Standardized administration | Ensures consistent and reliable results |
| Predetermined criteria | Measures mastery of specific skills or knowledge |
| Individual scoring | Focuses on the child’s own performance, not comparison to peers |
By providing objective data on a child’s abilities, criterion-referenced tests help parents and educators work together to support success.
This post was originally published on August 27, 2023. It was updated on July 5, 2024.
