ASSESSMENT GRADING STANDARDS

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Criterion-referenced Assessment
Criterion-referenced Assessment is a format for evaluating assessment in which the assessment is measured against predetermined criteria. It provides the standards to both learners and assessors so the assessment is assessed with little ambiguity and the assessors are expected to assess materials according to the defined criteria. Criterion-reference assessment encourages teamwork as students do not compete with others directly but are assessed against the same set of criteria. It is used to establish a person's competence. Example: Driving Test.

Norm-referenced Assessment
Norm-referenced Assessment (also known as grading on a curve) is a format for evaluating assessment in which student's performance is measured against the norm. The norm can be the average in a class cohort or even the national sample. These students' performances are then ranked accordingly. Norm-referenced assessment does not give an indication of how well the student performs, rather it is a way of comparing students, thus it discourages teamwork and encourages competition. Example: IQ test.

Standards
Standard is the expected level of quality (set by instructors, professional bodies, schools, colleges, government) in which the assessment will be approved or accredited.

HKU and Assessment Grading Standards
HKU has adopted standards-based assessment, thus, when using standards-based assessment as opposed to norm-based assessment, grade descriptors should be established so that students are clear about what standards are expected of them. Students will receive a grade based on these benchmarks as opposed to a ranking based on a norm. The course grade descriptors should be provided to the students and the assessors, so the assessment is assessed with little ambiguity.

When you are developing your course level grade descriptors, the normal expectations of student achieving particular grades should be described. Each course may develop marking rubrics for assessment items aligned with the course level grade descriptors. The marking rubric for each assessment item need not include all aspects of the grade descriptor. Some assessment items may be more appropriate for the higher level grade descriptor (essay) and some for the lower level grade descriptors (MCQs). In developing grade descriptors, the danger is to set too high levels of standards. The grade descriptors should represent a range of grades.

It is recommended that marking rubrics should be provided for each assessment item in the course.

ASSESSMENT GRADING STANDARDS SAMPLE - FROM THE FACULTY OF ARTS
A Demonstrate evidence of original thought, analytical and critical abilities as well as a thorough grasp of the topic from background reading and analysis; should demonstrate organizational, rhetorical and presentational skills with few (if any) errors.
B Demonstrate evidence of critical and analytical thinking but not necessarily original thinking; show adequate grasp of the topic from background reading and analysis; should demonstrate organizational, rhetorical and presentational skills with few (if any) errors.
C Demonstrate evidence of a reasonable grasp of their subject but most of their information is derivative, with rather little evidence of critical thinking; should demonstrate fair organizational, rhetorical and presentational skills but with some errors.
D Demonstrate evidence of being able to assemble only the bare minimum of information, poorly digested and not very well organized in presentation. There is no evidence of critical thinking.
F Demonstrate evidence of poor knowledge and understanding of the subject, a lack of coherence and organization, and answers are largely irrelevant. Work fails to reach degree level.

Web References and Resources
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Copy and paste the text below:
Chan C.(2010) Assessment: Assessment Grading Standards, Assessment Resources@HKU, University of Hong Kong [http://ar.cetl.hku.hk]: Available: Accessed: DATE