What is a significant advantage of criterion-referenced assessments?

Criterion-referenced assessments focus on measuring a student's performance against a specific set of standards or learning objectives rather than comparing students to one another. This approach allows educators to determine whether students have mastered particular skills or content areas as defined by predetermined criteria. The significant advantage of aligning assessments with specific learning goals is that it provides clear expectations for what students are expected to learn and helps identify areas where individual students may need additional support or instruction. This tailored feedback is valuable in promoting student growth and ensuring that instruction is effectively targeted to meet the needs of all learners.