What is the primary purpose of criteria-referenced assessments?

The primary purpose of criteria-referenced assessments is to measure a student's knowledge and understanding of specific classroom content or established standards. These assessments are designed to evaluate how well a student has learned the material that was taught, rather than how they compare to their peers. This focus allows educators to identify which students have mastered the content and which may need additional support, based on predefined criteria or learning objectives.

By assessing students against specific learning standards, educators can make more informed decisions about instruction and provide targeted interventions to meet the needs of all learners. This approach emphasizes individual learning outcomes rather than relative performance, thus providing a clearer picture of a student's academic proficiency and ensuring that assessments align with the instructional goals set for particular content areas.