Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of alternative assessments?

The choice emphasizing standardized testing is not characteristic of alternative assessments because alternative assessments are designed to measure student understanding and skills in a more flexible and holistic manner. Unlike standardized tests, which often rely on multiple-choice or fixed-response formats and typically assess a narrow range of knowledge, alternative assessments focus on evaluating students through a variety of methods that reflect real-world applications and processes.

Alternative assessments often encourage creative demonstrations of knowledge, allowing students to express their understanding in unique ways, such as through projects, presentations, or portfolios. They also emphasize real-world tasks that mirror authentic experiences in various fields, providing students with opportunities to apply their learning in practical contexts. Additionally, these assessments foster collaboration among students, promoting teamwork and communication skills as they work together to complete projects and tackle problems.

This variety and depth of evaluation found in alternative assessments contrasts sharply with the more rigid and standardized nature of traditional testing, which aims to compare student performance against uniform benchmarks rather than assess individual creativity and application of knowledge.