Difference between Content Standards, Benchmarks and Performance Standards

Below are the differences between Content Standards, Benchmarks and Performance Standards used in Standard Based Curriculum.
Content Standards

•  Comprise the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes (content) that students should learn, often called the “what”of “what students should know and be able to do.”
• Comprise essential knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes which will be the measures or the basis of quality of education.

Benchmarks

• Identify the specific components of the knowledge, process, skill, concept, principle, or idea identified by a content standard that students are expected to learn, master, and demonstrate proficiency
• Provides the basis for assessing students mastery of essential knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes
• Used as the basis for measuring students attainment and progress towards meeting the national content standards
•  Compare the performance of PNG students with students in other countries.

Performance Standards

• Measure students’ performance and proficiency (using performance indicators) in the use of a specific knowledge, skill, value, or attitude in real life or related situations
• Provides the basis (performance indicators) for evaluating, reporting and monitoring students’ level of proficiency in use of a specific knowledge, skills, value, or attitude
• Used to plan for individual instruction to help students not yet meeting expectations (desired level of mastery and proficiency) to make adequate progress towards the full attainment of benchmarks and content standards
• Used as the basis for measuring students’ progress towards meeting the national benchmarks and content standards

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