Which assessment approach focuses on meeting predefined standards and outcomes rather than a holistic view of progress?

Which assessment approach focuses on meeting predefined standards and outcomes rather than a holistic view of progress?

• A. Rubrics
• B. Portfolios
• C. Standards-based grades
• D. KWL charts

Answer: (C)

This focuses on judging what a student has actually mastered—the explicit learning targets or standards. Standards-based grading measures each student against those predefined outcomes, collecting evidence to show level of mastery for each standard. So the final report reflects which skills and knowledge have been demonstrated, not just an overall sense of progress or how the student felt about the work. Rubrics are helpful tools that describe performance levels for criteria, and can support standards-based work, but they don’t by themselves define the outcome-focused grading system. Portfolios emphasize growth over time and a holistic collection of work. KWL charts are planning and reflection tools that track what students know, want to know, and have learned.

This focuses on judging what a student has actually mastered—the explicit learning targets or standards. Standards-based grading measures each student against those predefined outcomes, collecting evidence to show level of mastery for each standard. So the final report reflects which skills and knowledge have been demonstrated, not just an overall sense of progress or how the student felt about the work.

Rubrics are helpful tools that describe performance levels for criteria, and can support standards-based work, but they don’t by themselves define the outcome-focused grading system. Portfolios emphasize growth over time and a holistic collection of work. KWL charts are planning and reflection tools that track what students know, want to know, and have learned.