> How about "average reading level of a college student"? This is a form of normed referencing, and ultimately it becomes a (sometimes rapidly) moving target t

> How about "average reading level of a college student"? This is a form of normed referencing, and ultimately it becomes a (sometimes rapidly) moving target that makes comparisons difficult. The standard used in the field is criterion referencing (similar to "prescriptive" used by 'jasode). This allows for easier apples-to-apples comparisons. You are correct that they layman understanding is closer to your definition (at least in my experience). The layman understanding that you describe is not the standard in the field.