(14.2) Consider norm referenced assessment and criterion referenced assessment. Are there advantages to both? Are there disadvantages?
Both types of assessments have advantages and disadvantages, but are also both extremely useful in the classroom.Criterion referenced assessments are based on the standards from the curriculum, and measure how well students are performing when judged against these predetermined standards. These types of test are important to determining how we are doing as teachers, and let us know what students have learned or what they might be struggling with. Criterion referenced tests also help us to set a level for minimum performance, such as establishing standards for students to pass on to the next skill level, or their need to stay on their current level for more practice. Basically, criterion referenced assessments allow for teachers to measure the progress of their students against predetermined standards, as well as to measure their own success as educators. The advantages of this type of test are that they are easily implemented in the classroom, they give educators insight into what students may require special services, and that they promote students' motivation for learning as they can be used to determine grades in a particular class. Some disadvantages may be that criterion referenced tests do not allow for varying abilities, may not account for students' various test taking abilities, and may not be a completely reliable means for testing for mastery.
Norm referenced assessments are designed to test how well students are performing in comparison to their peers. An example would be the TCAP, which is scored by measuring which percentile a student falls into. The advantage to the norm referenced assessment is that it allows teachers to see where different students stand in terms of their mastery of a topic compared to their classmates. If there is a low variable in their particular class, but a high variable when compared to other students in the same age group, it may show the teacher's need for adapting their methods for the particular subject. However, if there is a high variable in that class, it may mean that some students may benefit from a different teaching style being implemented. It can also give teachers some insight into which students may require additional help or resources. Some disadvantages to norm referenced assessment would be that they do not account for differences in students' learning abilities, diverse backgrounds, or the fact that some students learning styles may not be in sync with the teaching methods being used.
Tabitha, I really like how you pointed out the advantages of norm referenced assessment. I never thought of how your particular class scores may seem low but in comparison to other peers in different classes they could be considered high. This could also be a factor based on teaching strategies that a teacher could find helpful. I agree with your disadvantages about diverse learner's as well!
ReplyDeleteGreat posting and comparison of the two different types of assessment. I had noticed many of the same advantages and disadvantages, but had not realized how closely their disadvantages related until I read your post. To me it appears as though the disadvantages that you listed could go under either type of assessment and are interchangeable. I guess this just proves the point that the book makes--no assessment is perfect.
ReplyDeleteTabitha,
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job in discussing the norm referenced and criterion based assessments. Although I too had mentioned how they could be used to assess student’s different learning styles, I hadn’t even considered the tests themselves and the potential disadvantage it could be in presenting a reliable test of knowledge. Thanks for pointing that out :)!
Holly
Tabitha - I agree with all that you wrote. I forgot to mention the challenges of diverse students taking a norm-referenced assessment, so I'm glad you mentioned it. Of course both types have pros and cons. It is all just a matter of how they are implemented in the classroom and the way in which the "data" is approached. While it is necessary to assess student achievement, it seems most of our peers are against "high-stakes" tests taking precedent in the classroom. Would you agree with that, or do you believe that they are the best way to gauge education nationwide?
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