Holly DeFranco 14.2

14.2        Consider norm referenced assessment and criterion referenced assessment.  Are there advantages to both?  Are there disadvantages?

Norm referenced assessment allows one to see how their students perform in comparison to other classmates, as well as on a national standard basis within their grade level.  I definitely think it is beneficial to see where your students are on a group or individual basis in comparison to others.  For instance, if you noticed a group of students that may be more visual learners had scored low in comparison to a group of students that were more auditory learners, you may want to consider how you taught the materials and question if you presented it toward multiple learning styles to allow all your students an opportunity for success.   I think this type of assessment would also be advantageous if you could see how your class was doing in comparison to another class.  If the other class assessments had higher scores you may look into the instructional techniques of your fellow colleague’s presentation of the material tested.  I think the main disadvantage of norm referenced assessments that we hear so much about is the tremendous pressure it places on teachers and schools to perform.

Criterion referenced assessments are advantageous because they can tell you what your students may already know in relation to standards and criteria to be taught allowing you to adjust and focus your instruction on specific areas that students may be deficient.  They can also assess what students have learned/ mastered post lesson. 

I think as long as the norm and criterion assessments meet the 4 qualities (RSVP) of assessment, then I see them as advantageous in understanding our students mastery of a particular standard, as well a gauge in our teaching abilities and ways in which we present materials.