Correct Response: B. A norm-referenced reading assessment, a type of standardized assessment, compares students' performance with that of a norming group, which is a large sample of students typically at the same grade level or in the same age range. The score on a norm-referenced assessment is typically presented as a percentile ranking. Option A is incorrect because a summative assessment summarizes students' progress at the end of a time period after learning has taken place and does not compare students' performance against that of a norming group. Typical purposes of summative assessments include identifying what skills students have mastered during a specified time period or evaluating the effectiveness of a reading program or instructional strategy. Option C is incorrect because a curriculum-based reading assessment evaluates how well students have learned basic reading skills taught. The results can inform teachers of students' progress and challenges with respect to the reading curriculum. Option D is incorrect because benchmark assessments are interim assessments that track students' progress toward an instructional goal. Benchmark assessments can be used to help predict how well students are likely to perform on end-of-year state assessments.
