Grade Level Benchmarks and Percentile Ranks

Benchmark assessments are given at various points in the school year, often the beginning, middle, and end of the year in order to assess how students are progressing over time. Benchmarks are scores that denote a performance goal typical for students at a specific grade level. Based on a student’s performance on grade-level benchmarks, educators will identify her strengths and weaknesses, make instructional decisions, and make decisions about interventions.

A student’s percentile rank describes his performance in comparison to other students in his grade. The average range for percentile ranks spans from the 25th percentile to the 75th percentile. A percentile rank of 50 corresponds to the middle of the average range. If your student scored at the 25th percentile for reading and the 75th percentile for math; he has scored at the beginning of the average range for reading and the top of the average range for math.

What if my student scores below the average range?

If your student scores below the average range on a benchmark assessment, she may need intervention to close the gap between her performance and other students at her grade-level. As interventions are provided, monitor her performance on future assessments to see if her percentile rank is progressing toward the average range. If not, she may need intervention that occurs more days per week or for more minutes per session.

Could my student still need intervention if they scored in the average range?

Performing at the beginning of the average range may not reflect optimal skills in an academic skill area. Scoring closer to the 50th percentile would represent more secure performance. However, your school may not provide interventions for students performing within the average range. Although your student would not be suspected of requiring intensive intervention services in an area in which he performed within the average range, students scoring near the lower portion of the average range may benefit from increased opportunities to master skills in the area assessed. In this circumstance, you could ask your child’s teacher for recommendations for how to support your student’s skill development to encourage continued growth. You could then monitor your student’s performance on future grade-level benchmark assessments to ensure his percentile rank maintains or goes up.

Bradley Paramore, Ed.S., NCSP
Springer Diagnostic Center Psychologist