Which statement would NOT describe a criterion-referenced measure of articulation accuracy?

Which statement would NOT describe a criterion-referenced measure of articulation accuracy?

• A. It describes a threshold level of performance required to pass.
• B. It uses a normative sample to identify scores that are below normal limits.
• C. It describes pass/fail criteria for each target.
• D. It allows for the child's best performance with cues.

Answer: (B)

Criterion-referenced measures judge whether a child has reached a predefined level of accuracy for each target sound, rather than how the child compares to peers. The focus is on mastery of specific targets, with clear pass/fail criteria for each one. Tests can allow elicitation with cues or prompts to reveal the child’s best possible production, but scoring rests on whether the targeted criterion is met for each sound or context. This is exactly captured by describing a threshold level to pass and by outlining pass/fail criteria for each target. In contrast, using a normative sample to identify scores below normal limits compares a child to a reference group rather than to fixed mastery standards, which is not how criterion-referenced measures operate.

Criterion-referenced measures judge whether a child has reached a predefined level of accuracy for each target sound, rather than how the child compares to peers. The focus is on mastery of specific targets, with clear pass/fail criteria for each one. Tests can allow elicitation with cues or prompts to reveal the child’s best possible production, but scoring rests on whether the targeted criterion is met for each sound or context. This is exactly captured by describing a threshold level to pass and by outlining pass/fail criteria for each target. In contrast, using a normative sample to identify scores below normal limits compares a child to a reference group rather than to fixed mastery standards, which is not how criterion-referenced measures operate.