In order to treat all students equally, instructors must evaluate student performance against:

Instructors must evaluate student performance against an established objective standard to ensure fairness and consistency in the grading process. An objective standard is based on measurable criteria, such as specific learning outcomes, skills, and knowledge that students are expected to demonstrate. This approach minimizes bias and subjectivity, providing all students with an equal opportunity to succeed according to the same benchmarks.

Using an established objective standard allows instructors to transparently communicate expectations, making it easier for students to understand how their performance will be assessed. This method also ensures that all students are judged based on their actual performance rather than on personal opinions or comparisons with their peers, which can vary widely and lead to unequal treatment.

Other options, such as subjective standards, flexible grading systems, or peer comparisons, can introduce inconsistencies and undermine the goal of equitable treatment by allowing personal biases or varying expectations to influence the assessment process.