Standard Setting
Summary of Performance Level Descriptor (PLD) Standard Setting Methods
- Issues and Considerations Regarding Standard Setting
Standard setting is a process of setting cut scores on a test. It indicates whether a student has achieved an established level of proficiency. As a new summative assessment for new common core standards will be implemented in the 2014-2015 school year by two consortia (PARCC and Smarter Balanced), standard setting for a new common core assessment will be conducted. Because there are many distinct differences between the assessments of the two consortia, the process of setting performance standards will not be the same. This outline was created to provide detailed differences in standard setting by the two consortia and the related issues and consideration as well as a general description of standard setting.