Final answer:
Scoring standards in education typically refer to a grading rubric that outlines how points are awarded based on the accuracy and completeness of responses in an assessment task. Points for such a rubric may range from 0 for no completion to 15 for fully accurate answers. Benchmark scores assess global educational achievement levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scoring standards mentioned appear to relate to the grading rubric for an educational assessment task. The rubric assigns points based on the accuracy and completeness of answers to questions about volcanic sites, with the possibility of points being deducted for spelling or grammar errors, or for failing to follow format guidelines.
The scoring may function as follows: 15 points for fully accurate responses with proper citation, 12 points for mostly accurate responses with one or two errors, 8 points for responses with more than two errors or missing references, 5 points for very partial information provided, and 0 points for not completing the assignment.
Benchmark scores are used to assess levels of achievement on a global scale, with certain countries not meeting even the low benchmarks, underscoring the need for educational improvement.