How do standards-based assessments differ from traditional assessments?

Standards-based assessments are designed to measure students' understanding and skills in relation to specific learning goals or standards. This approach emphasizes what students should know and be able to do at each grade level, allowing educators to gauge whether students have met these established criteria.

In contrast to traditional assessments, which may be more focused on overall performance or comparative rankings among students, standards-based assessments provide a clearer indication of individual student progress towards specific educational benchmarks. This specificity helps educators tailor instruction to meet students' needs in areas where they may be struggling or excelling.

The emphasis on clear, defined standards in these assessments supports targeted teaching strategies and helps ensure that all students have the opportunity to achieve their educational goals based on a shared understanding of expected outcomes.