The individual's demonstrated capacity to perform, i.e., the possession of knowledge, skills, and personal characteristics needed to satisfy the special demands or requirements of a particular situation is referred to as competence. A curriculum framework is an organized plan that defines content, the content to be learned in terms of the general categories of skills, knowledge, and processes. Frameworks may be developed by content areas or some other organizing principle. The student may add a reason why the item was chosen, an extension to the information, supporting evidence, or any other enhancement that helps the examiner better understand the student's response choice. A test that requires students to answer questions in writing is an essay test.
Responses can be brief or extensive.
The essay test usually measures knowledge as well as the ability to apply knowledge of a subject to questions about the subject. In Washington State, Essential Academic Learning Requirements define what students should know and be able to do at the completion of their K-12 education. These statements are purposefully broad and are intended to serve as guideposts to school districts and give teachers flexibility in designing curriculum, teaching strategies and plans for instruction. Evaluation is the process of making judgments based on criteria and evidence. The product is considered to be more than the sum of its parts and so the quality of a final product or performance is evaluated.