What type of assessment involves evaluating student behavior to measure performance in a real-world context?

The correct answer refers to a method of assessment that evaluates student behavior and performance in a real-world context, which is the essence of authentic assessment. This type of assessment seeks to measure students' abilities to apply their knowledge and skills in practical, meaningful situations. Authentic assessments often involve tasks such as projects, performances, or portfolios that reflect how students would perform outside of an academic setting, thereby providing a more accurate picture of their capabilities.

In contrast, formative assessment focuses on monitoring student learning to provide ongoing feedback that can be used to improve instruction and student performance, but it does not strictly evaluate real-world application. High-stakes testing typically refers to standardized tests that have significant consequences for students and schools, often assessing knowledge in a rigorous, controlled manner without the application component. Criterion-referenced tests measure student performance against a specific set of criteria or standards, but again, they may not necessarily involve authentic, real-world tasks. Thus, the emphasis of authentic assessment on real-life application makes it the most suitable choice for the provided question.