Which statement best describes criterion-referenced assessment results?

• A. They indicate mastery of specified skills against fixed criteria.
• B. They compare students to a normative group.
• C. They predict future performance on unrelated tasks.
• D. They measure general intelligence.

Answer: (A)

Criterion-referenced assessment results show whether a student has mastered specific skills or learning objectives based on fixed criteria. The key idea is that the focus is on meeting predefined standards or targets, not on how the student compares to peers. This makes it clear whether the student has achieved each skill, such as a set of identified reading or math targets, rather than producing a score relative to a norm group.

For example, if the objective is to identify 20 sight words with 90% accuracy, criterion-referenced results would indicate mastery if that level is reached, regardless of how other students performed. This is different from norm-referenced assessments, which compare performance to a larger group. It also isn’t about predicting future performance on unrelated tasks or measuring general intelligence; it centers on demonstrated mastery of specified, concrete criteria tied to the curriculum or IEP goals.