Porscha Jones 14.2

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

Norm-referenced assessment compares performance to that of peers while criterion-referenced assessment indicates mastery or nonmastery of specific topics. There are advantages as well as disadvantes to both. Norm-referenced assessments are beneficial in seeing the differences among all of your students. When comparing the results to other classrooms across the state, it allows teachers to see where their students are compared to other classrooms. Teachers that know their students well enough would be able to see how the different types of learners performed as well. Students who do not take notes compared to students who do take notes can be looked at and evaluated by the teacher. By having this information, teachers can adjust their style of teaching to help the students who did not perform as well as the others. A major disadvantage would be that the scores do not specifically state what students have or have not learned. Also, when children are shown graphs and percentages that show them where they are and where their classmates are, this might create a negative self concept. They might not believe they are as smart or as competent as their peers and this could be detrimental to their self perception.

Criterion-referenced assessments are beneficial in telling teachers what students have and have not accomplished. The questions and tasks are closely tied to curriculum and to the particular knowledge that teachers expect or hope that the students have acquired.

I believe that both of these forms of assessment should be combined as one because the results will give teachers feedback and ultimately help to adapt ways of teaching based on these results.