Criterion-referenced assessments can be easily repeated for progress monitoring because they provide which of the following?

• A. A snapshot of abilities at a given time
• B. A predictive forecast of future achievement
• C. A comparison to peers
• D. A comprehensive but time-consuming profile

Answer: (A)

Criterion-referenced assessments measure whether a student has mastered specific skills or objectives, using fixed criteria rather than comparing to a peer group. Because the criteria are constant, you can administer the same measure repeatedly to track whether the student meets the standards over time. This repeated, criterion-based check gives a current snapshot of abilities at each time point, which is exactly what progress monitoring needs to see growth or plateau. The approach is efficient for frequent use and directly tied to the objectives being taught, unlike norms-based predictions, peer comparisons, or lengthy profiles that aren’t designed for quick, ongoing monitoring.