Beginning discussions and exploratory work on criterion-referenced measurement are reviewed in this commentary on the author's 1963 address to the American Educational Research Association on issues of measurement and the development of educational technology. Many problems foreseen at that time remain current. (SLD)

The term "criterion-referenced measurement" has been so frequently used that accumulated surplus meaning has sometimes swamped the fundamental concept. Stripping away extraneous interpretations affirms the contemporary relevance of the concept. Substituting the term "construct-referenced" underscores the need for better…

The rise of criterion-referenced measurement from 1970 to 1984 was an important period in test development. Since 1984 there has been less research published on criterion-referenced measurement, but there is ample evidence that the concept remains important, especially in the authentic measurement and performance assessment movements. (SLD)

Test specifications need to take a middle road so that they are not so general that instructional targeting is impossible and not so specific that only unitary assessment targets are fostered. Using illustrative sample items provides a good means of communicating the items eligible to be tested. (SLD)

A norm-referenced achievement test, in combination with supplementary items, can be used to produce norm-referenced data as well as objective-referenced data. The experiences of the Palm Beach County (Florida) school district in developing and using such a test are described. (EGS)