What kind of grading compares a student's performance to that of peers?

Norm-referenced grading is a method that evaluates a student's performance in relation to the performance of their peers. This approach involves ranking students and comparing their scores to establish percentiles or grades. For instance, if a student scores in the 85th percentile, this indicates they performed better than 85% of their peers. The focus is on relative performance rather than absolute standards or specific criteria, making it distinct from other grading types.

Criterion-referenced grading, on the other hand, measures a student's performance against a fixed set of standards or criteria, allowing them to earn grades based on their mastery of the material. Similarly, standards-based grading focuses on assessing specific learning outcomes rather than comparing students to one another. Progressive grading generally involves an evolving assessment approach that may not directly compare peer performance. Thus, norm-referenced grading is the correct choice as it specifically emphasizes comparison with peers.