Performance standards are useful tools when comparative evaluation or personal selection are not appropriate for decision making. The concept was developed in 1962 when Glaser introduced criterion referenced testing, to emphasize the importance of making test scores informative about learning processes rather than comparing them to other people's…

This report discusses the nature of performance objectives and how they may be classified. Ways in which performance objectives may be used in improving instruction are elaborated on in sections on: (1) stating subject-matter and higher goals as performance objectives, (2) taxonomic classification of performance objectives, and (3) limitations and…