What Is Benchmark Assessment?
A periodic assessment given at set intervals during the school year to measure student progress toward meeting grade-level standards.
Benchmark assessments (also called interim assessments) are standardized assessments given at regular intervals — typically 3-4 times per year — to measure student progress toward meeting grade-level standards. They fall between formative assessment (daily checks) and summative assessment (end-of-year tests) in scope and frequency.
Benchmark assessments serve several purposes: they predict performance on end-of-year state assessments, identify students who are on track or at risk, measure growth over time, and provide data for instructional planning. Many districts use commercial benchmark systems like MAP, iReady, or DIBELS.
The data from benchmark assessments should be used to identify trends, adjust instruction, and target interventions. They are most useful when teachers have time and support to analyze results and make instructional changes based on the data.
Related Terms
Formative Assessment
Ongoing, low-stakes assessments used during instruction to monitor student learning and adjust teaching in real time.
Summative Assessment
Assessments given at the end of an instructional period to evaluate student mastery against standards or learning objectives.
RTI (Response to Intervention)
A multi-tiered approach to early identification and support of students with learning and behavior needs through increasingly intensive interventions.
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