Overview
Standards-based assessment depends on a set of pre-defined statements outlining different levels or standards of
achievement in a program, course or assessment component, and normally expressed in terms of the stated assessment
criteria.
This system of assessment involves awarding grades to students to reflect the level of performance (or standard) they have
achieved relative to the pre-defined standards. Students’ grades, therefore, are not determined in relation to the
performance of others, or to a pre-determined distribution of grades.
Standards-based assessment lets students know against which criteria you will judge their work, and the standards
attached to each of these criteria. It tells students what performance is required and allows you to make comparisons
between students based on their achievement of the standards.