Norm or Criterion-Referenced Grading

By:Jovie Hilao

Armilyn Nadora

Norm-Referenced Grading

Reflect Relative Performance Example: Score compared to other

students or ranking performance “Where you rank”

Norm-Referenced Grading

Grades may reflect relative performance score compared to other students (where you rank).

In such a system:› A. Grade depends on what group you are

in.› B. Typical grade may be shifted up or

down, depending on group’s ability.› C. Widely used because much classroom

testing is norm reference.

Advantages of Norm Referenced Grading:

They easy for instructors to use They work well in situations requiring

rigid differentiation among students They are generally appropriate in large

courses

Disadvantages of Norm Referenced Grading:

An individual's grade is determined not only by his/her achievements, but also by the achievements of others.

Example of Norm Referenced Grading:› 15% of the students will receive a mark of excellence,

which in class of 100 enrolled students will be 15 persons:

1.0 (Excellent) = Top 15 % of the class 1.50 (Good) = Next 15 % of the class 2.0 (Average) = Next 45 % of the class 3.0 ( Poor, pass) = Next 15 % of the class 5.0 (Failure) = Bottom 10 % of class

Criterion Referenced Grading

Reflect absolute performance Example: score compared to specified

standards “what you can do”

Criterion Referenced Grading

Grades may also reflect absolute performance score compared to specified performance standards (what you can do).

In such a system:› A. Grades does not depend on what group you are in,

but only on your own performance standards.› B. Grading is a complex task, because grades must:› i. clearly defined the domain› ii. clearly defined and justify the performance

standards.› iii. Be based on criterion referenced assessment.› C. conditions are hard to meet, except in complete

mystery.›

Advantages of Criterion Referenced System:

Advantages： Students are not competing with each

other Students are thus more likely to

actively help each other learn. A student's grade is not influenced by

the caliber of the class.

Disadvantages of Criterion Referenced System:

It is difficult to set a reasonable standard for students

Most experienced faculty set criteria based on their knowledge of how students usually perform

Criterion-referenced systems often become fairly similar to norm-referenced systems.

Example of Criterion Referenced Grading:

In class of 100 students, no one might get a grade of excellent if no one scores 98 above or 85 above depending on the criterion used.

› 1.0 (Excellent) = 98-100 or 85-100› 1.5 (God) = 88-97 or 80-84› 2.0 (Fair) = 75-87 or 70-79› 3.0 (Poor/Pass) = 65-74 or 60-69› 5.0 (Failure) = below65or

below60

Comparing Norm and Criterion Referenced System

Finally, grades may also reflect learning ability or improvement performance score compared to learning “potential” or past performance.

› A. Grades are inconsistent with a standard- based system because now, each child is his/her own standard.

› B. Reliably estimating learning ability (separate from achievement) is very difficult.

› C. One cannot reliably measure change with classroom measures.

› D. Therefore, should only be used as a supplement.

Thank you for Listening.