Final answer:
Comparison of performance to standards involves evaluating if goals are met and how actual outcomes differ from desired outcomes by establishing measurable criteria and planning for achievability. In education, standardized testing is commonly used, and in other studies, empirical data is compared to theoretical expectations.
Step-by-step explanation:
To compare performance to standards and understand how desired and actual outcomes differ, we can examine several aspects. First, we assess whether the predetermined goals were met, exceeded, or not met during a performance evaluation. To do this effectively, goals must be Measurable and motivational, which involves establishing criteria to measure progress and asking how will one know when the goal is accomplished. Achievability is also key, requiring a plan to make goals a reality.
In an educational context, comparing current student proficiency to desired achievement levels often involves standardized testing. The No Child Left Behind act and its focus on standards and testing for all students, including those with disabilities, aimed to raise achievement levels, but encountered mixed outcomes and unintended consequences, such as increased dropout rates.
Comparative studies, such as those assessing diet and exercise programs, or the effectiveness of SAT or GRE preparatory courses, also fall under this scope. Matching empirical data to theoretical values is another method of comparison, as is seen in statistical applications like Matched or Paired Samples analysis.