What term is used to describe performance measures compared to a standard set by a group?

The term "normative" is used to describe performance measures compared to a standard set by a group. Normative assessments provide benchmarks that allow individuals or groups to understand how their performance aligns with or deviates from the established norms. This is particularly important in educational settings where it enables educators and administrators to gauge student performance in relation to peers and identify areas for improvement.

Normative measures are often derived from a wide range of data collected from various populations, which helps to establish what is typical or expected performance within a certain context. This can be particularly useful for making comparisons across different groups or time frames and helps schools to assess their effectiveness in relation to others facing similar challenges.

In contrast, the other terms refer to different types of assessments or evaluations. For instance, "criterion" refers to a certain set standard that performance is measured against, but it does not involve comparison to a group standard. "Formative" assessments are used primarily for ongoing evaluation and feedback during the learning process, focusing on improvement rather than comparison. "Authentic" assessments aim to measure students' abilities in real-world contexts rather than in standardized testing environments. Thus, the use of the term "normative" accurately captures the essence of comparing performance measures to a collective standard.