What does an age equivalent score indicate in norm-referenced assessments?

An age equivalent score in norm-referenced assessments provides a benchmark indicating how a student's performance compares to the average performance of peers within the same age group. This score translates test results into an age level, suggesting the age at which a typical child would achieve the same score. For example, if a seven-year-old receives an age equivalent score of nine years, it implies that their performance is comparable to that of the average nine-year-old. This type of score is valuable for understanding developmental milestones and assessing whether a student is performing at, above, or below the expected level for their chronological age.

While the other options reference important aspects of assessment, they do not capture the essence of what an age equivalent score specifically evaluates. Reading accuracy, academic progression against a standard, and mastery of foundational skills are related to other types of performance metrics but do not specifically focus on age comparison. Thus, recognizing that age equivalent scores function primarily as age-based comparisons is crucial for interpreting assessment results effectively.