What does the term "normative" typically refer to in educational assessments?

The term "normative" in the context of educational assessments primarily refers to the comparative analysis of test scores. Normative assessments are designed to evaluate a student's performance relative to the performance of a specific group, known as the norm group. This approach helps educators identify how a student stands in comparison to peers, which can provide insights into their relative strengths and weaknesses.

By utilizing normative data, educators can make informed decisions about instruction, support, and interventions necessary for each student. It is a crucial aspect of understanding not just whether a student has met a certain skill level, but how they measure against a wider population. This type of assessment often uses percentiles, standard scores, or z-scores to illustrate where a student falls on the distribution of scores within a defined population.

The other options describe different types of assessments but do not capture the essence of what "normative" specifically signifies. For example, referencing a specific group of students does not inherently provide information on comparative performance, while assessments based on fixed standards focus on individual performance against predetermined levels of proficiency, and tests measuring real-world application of skills prioritize practical knowledge over relative performance comparison.