Final answer:
A criterion-referenced test gives educators information on a student's understanding of specific curriculum content, distinguishing it from norm-referenced tests that rank student performance against peers option (a).
Step-by-step explanation:
A teacher will get better information from a criterion-referenced test than from a norm-referenced test about how much each student has learned about a particular aspect of the curriculum.
Criterion-referenced tests are designed to measure student performance against a fixed set of standards or criteria, giving a clear picture of which specific skills or knowledge the student has acquired.
In contrast, norm-referenced tests compare a student's performance to a norm group, which can provide information on how a student's performance ranks among peers but does not necessarily indicate mastery of the curriculum content.
The No Child Left Behind Act and issues like teaching to the test have highlighted the contentious nature of standardized testing in education. The debates include arguments around the use of tests to foster learning and problem-solving abilities versus equipping students only to succeed in standardized settings without instilling broader educational values.
Additional discussions concern the disparity in educational funding and standards across different communities, often leading to inequitable educational outcomes. Moreover, cultural biases in tests like IQ tests have raised concerns about the fairness and accuracy of standardized assessments.