Which assessment tool is typically used to measure student progress in specific skill areas?

Curriculum-based assessments (CBAs) are specifically designed to measure student progress in relation to the curriculum being taught. These assessments provide ongoing data about student performance in targeted skill areas, allowing educators to monitor progress over time and adjust instruction as needed. CBAs often involve assessments that are directly tied to the learning objectives outlined in the curriculum, focusing on skills that students are currently being taught.

In contrast, standardized testing measures student performance against a broader set of criteria and norms that may not align directly with the day-to-day curriculum. Performance evaluations generally focus on overall performance in specific tasks or projects rather than specific skill areas, while teacher observations capture qualitative data about student behavior and participation rather than providing a structured framework for measuring skill acquisition. Thus, CBAs are the most effective tool for tracking specific skill progress in students, making them the appropriate choice for this context.