Assessment based on well-defined standards in a particular area of knowledge or skills. This assessment can be competency-based (a student must achieve a set standard to be considered 'competent' and gain credit for the learning) or achievement-based (a student's performance is measured, usually by a number or grade, across a number of progressively more demanding standards). Sources: Hambelton, R.K. (1997) 'Standard setting in criterion–referenced tests' in J.P. Keeves (ed.) (1997) Educational Research, Methodology, and Measurement: An International Handbook, 2 nd edn, Pergamon: 798–802. Wright, P.W.D. & P.D. (2003) Glossary of assessment terms, Wrightslaw Associates. http://wrightslaw.com/links/glossary.assessment.htm Accessed on 12/02/03. See also ' criterion-referenced assessment' and ' norm-referenced assessment'.
A standards based test is one based on the outcome-based education or performance-based education philosophy. http://www.news-bulletin.com/news/58020-01-18-06.html January 18 2006 Standards- Based Test draws plan for awareness Jackie Schlotfeldt News-Bulletin Staff Writer Valencia County News-Bulletin "With the New Mexico Standards Based Assessments just a little over a month away" Assessment is a key part of the standards reform movement. The first part is to set new, higher standards to be expected of every student. Then the curriculum must be aligned to the new standards.