Norm-referenced tests yield information regarding student performance in comparison to a norm or average of performance by similar students. Norms are statistics that describe the test performance of a well-defined population. Objectives are the written, active, and operational subdivisions of a goal that are well defined and measurable in their accomplishment. An objective is comprised of similar outcomes. Outcomes are the subdivisions of specific objectives that are the products of an institution.
Process is the measure of productivity as inputs are converted to outputs in the educational system.
Institutional effectiveness assessment focuses not on the process but on the product. Quality is the degree of excellence that customers require when they pay for products. Standard is the benchmark quantity against which a specific objective s data are measured. Summative Assessments are conducted after an educational process is complete for judging success and assessing outcomes. Value-added is adding new usable knowledge and additional tangible skills to what students possess when they go to college.