What type of assessment involves real-life tasks to evaluate student performance?

The correct answer highlights the concept of authentic assessment, which is designed to evaluate student performance through real-life tasks that closely resemble what they might encounter outside of a school setting. This type of assessment emphasizes the application of knowledge and skills in practical situations, providing a more comprehensive view of a student's abilities. By engaging students in tasks that reflect actual challenges, authentic assessments can better demonstrate a student’s understanding, problem-solving skills, and ability to apply what they have learned in meaningful ways.

In contrast, standardized assessments often utilize fixed questions and formats that compare student performance against a uniform benchmark, which might not reflect real-world applications. Summative assessments focus on evaluating student learning at the end of an instructional unit, typically measuring the extent of learning rather than how it could be applied practically. Norm-referenced assessments compare a student’s performance to that of their peers, which again may not capture the practical application of knowledge as authentically as authentic assessments do. The focus of authentic assessment on real-world tasks makes it an effective tool for evaluating deeper learning and performance beyond traditional testing methods.