The Words We Use: A Glossary of Terms for
Early Childhood Education Standards and Assessment
Definition
A testing instrument in which the test-taker's performance (i.e., score) is interpreted by comparing it with a pre-specified standard or specific content and/or skills.
Related Terms (Not Synonyms)
Criterion-based test; Norm-referenced test; Outcomes-based test; Standards-based test
Explanatory Comments
- Criterion-referenced tests are distinguished from norm-referenced tests, the scores of which are derived by comparing the performance of the test-taker to the composite of scores of a group (the "norming" group).
- On a criterion-referenced test, it is possible that none, or all, of those being tested will reach a particular goal or performance standard.
- The distinction between norm-referenced tests and criterion-referenced tests is especially important in light of federal requirements for standards-based assessment.
- Although these criterion-referenced tests are almost always referred to as criterion-referenced tests, they are really criterion-referenced interpretations of a score of a given test.
- Understanding the meaning of scores resulting from criterion-referenced tests requires some understanding of statistics.
Web Sources
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. (2002). A lexicon of learning: What educators mean when they say… Retrieved May 19, 2003, from http://www.ascd.org/educationnews/lexicon/a.html
ERIC Clearinghouse. (1989). A glossary of measurement terms. ERIC Digest. ED315430. Retrieved May 19, 2003, from http://ericae.net/edo/ed315430.htm
Massachusetts Department of Education System for Adult Basic Education Support. Glossary of useful terms. Retrieved May 19, 2003, from http://www.sabes.org/assessment/glossary.htm
Other Resources
Gage, N.L., & Berliner, D. (1998). Educational psychology. (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
Popham, W. J. (1999). Classroom assessment: What teachers need to know. (2nd Ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Sheinker, D., & Redfield, D. (2001). Handbook for professional development in assessment literacy. Glossary. CD-ROM. Washington, DC: Council of Chief State School Officers.
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