Educational Assessment

Grounded in the real world of public schools and students, this engaging, insightful, and highly readable text introduces the inner-workings of K-12 educational assessment. There has never been a time when it is more important for educators to have an understanding of testing and assessments. Accountability is now a fact of life for all public school educators, and testing is at the core of all educational assessment programs. It is no longer prudent or even possible for educators to ignore this national zeitgeist. Educational Assessment: Tests and Measurements in the Age of Accountability addresses all of the constructs central to understanding the design, construction and evaluation of educational measures. It goes on to provide students with insight into the link between today's high-stakes testing mandates and the traditions of the past 125 years of "e;scientific"e; measurement in the United States. It addresses the problem of understanding and correctly interpreting test scores on local, statewide, national, and international assessments. It also addresses how certain issues such as institutionalized cheating, test preparation, and individual differences among students and their families influence test score outcomes. Key Features Covers traditional topics in an approachable and understandable way: Reliability, validity, performance assessments, standardized achievement tests, and many more topics are included. Analyzes and interprets "e;hot-button"e; issues of today's complex measurement concerns: The score-gap, high-stakes testing, grade retention, drop-out crises, "e;academic redshirting,"e;, diversity, family influence, and educational technology, are examined. Relates theory to practice: Each chapter includes relevant real-life examples and case studies to demonstrate how the technical-measurement principles impact those involved. Addresses the needs of diverse students: Issues related to students with special needs and the testing of English Language Learners are discussed. Intended Audience: Educational Assessment: Tests and Measurements in the Age of Accountability has been written to meet the needs of students in graduate programs of special education, reading, school counseling, school social work, curriculum supervision, or administration. Providing grounding in all aspects of measurement, this book is perfect for undergraduate and graduate courses such as Educational Tests and Measurements, Assessment in Education, and Student Assessment.

Preface
SECTION ONE: EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT IN AMERICA: HISTORY, GOALS, AND APPLICATIONS
1. Issues and Measurement Practices in the Schools
Issues and Themes
Learning Objectives
Accountability, Assessment, and Testing
Why do we Test?
Types and Varieties of Tests
Assumptions Made by Test Developers
Trends in Testing
Law and Testing
Case Law
Educational Ethics and Testing
Summary
Discussion Questions
2. History of Testing in American Education
Issues and Themes
Learning Objectives
Scientific Measurement and Racism
The Next Generation
Single Factor Models
Multiple Factor Models
Contemporary Public Schools
Winds of Change
Summary
Discussion Questions
SECTION TWO: THE MEANING AND QUALITY OF TEST SCORES
3. The Measurement and Description of Variables
Issues and Themes
Learning Objectives
Variables
Central Tendency
Normal Distribution
Variation and Variance
Standard Scores
Variation
Correlation
Summary
Discussion Questions
4. Reliability as a Measure of Test Quality
Issues and Themes
Learning Objectives
Reliability
Internal Consistency
Gains and Losses
Standard Error of Measurement
Factors with an Impact on Reliability
Reliability of Cut Scores
Reliability of Performance Tasks and Criterion Tests
Summary
Discussion Questions
5. Validity as a Measure of Test Quality
Issues and Themes
Learning Objectives
Validity: The Traditional Context of Validity
Contemporary View
Comparison Groups
Test Bias and Fairness
Summary
Discussion Questions
SECTION THREE: TESTING OF STUDENTS BY CLASSROOM TEACHERS
6. Planning and Constructing Classroom Tests
Issues and Themes
Learning Objectives
Testing and Teaching
Formative Tests
Summative Evaluations
Testing Formats
Summary
Discussion Questions
7. Classroom Development and Use of Extended Answer Tests
Issues and Themes
Learning Objectives
Homework
Completion or Short Answer
The Essay Test
Bluffing
Essay Test Format
Essay Grading
The SAT Essay Test
Summary
Discussion Questions
8. Item Selection and Analysis
Issues and Themes
Classroom Testing
A Priori Qualitative Assessment and Analysis of Tests
Item Difficulty Index
Distracter Analysis
Item Analysis with Constructed or Supply Type Items
Discrimination
Computer Adaptive Testing
Item Response Theory (IRT)
Summary
Discussion Questions
9. Performance Assessments
Issues and Themes
Learning Objectives
Assessment and Instruction
Performance Based Assessments
Scoring
Portfolios
Summary
Discussion Questions
10. Grades, Progress Reports, and Report Cards
Issues and Themes
Learning Objectives
Background and History
Purposes of Report Card Grades
Student Grades
Report Card Comments
On-line Report Cards
Report Card Grades for the Gifted
Grades and Students with Special Needs
The Case of Transfer Students
Grade Point Average and Class Rank
Teacher-Parent Conference
Grade Inflation
Promotion and Graduation
Summary
Discussion Questions
SECTION FOUR: TESTING FOR STUDENT LEARNING, TALENT, APTITUDE, AND SPECIAL NEEDS
11. Standardized Measures of Learning
Issues and Themes
Learning Objectives
Explaining Test Scores to Parents
Major Achievement Test Batteries
State Mandated Assessments
Summary
Discussion Questions
12. Testing of Aptitude and Selection
Issues and Themes
Learning Objectives
Aptitude
Scholastic Aptitude and Intelligence
Training of Test Administrators
Tests of Intelligence Administered One-on-One
Tests of Intelligence Administered to Groups
Group Administered Aptitude Tests
Assessment of Talented and Gifted Children
Assessment of Aptitude for College Study
Summary
Discussion Questions
13. Identification of Learning Problems
Issues and Themes
Learning Objectives
Incidence
Informal Screening
Instructional Support Team
Referral, Assessment, and the IEP Committee
Assessment Process
Formal Assessments of Attention and Focus
AD/HD Measurement Scales
Assessments of Reading Problems
Early Reading Tests
Assessments of Language and Speech Problems
Measures for the Identification of Problems Learning Mathematics
Individualized Educational Plan
Accommodations for Children with Disabilities
Summary
Discussion Questions
SECTION FIVE: NO CHILD, TEACHER, OR SCHOOL LEFT BEHIND
14. International, National, and Statewide Testing Programs
Issues and Themes
Learning Objectives
International Comparisons
Nation’s Report Card
School Assessments
No Child Left Behind
Summary
Discussion Questions
15. Student, Family, and Teacher Factors in Test Scores
Issues and Themes
Learning Objectives
Students
Families
Teachers
Summary
Discussion Questions
16. Test Preparation for Successful Schools
Issues and Themes
Learning Objectives
Accountability Angst
Legal and Ethical Requirements
Marginal Ethics
Successful Schools
Classroom Instruction
Architecture and School Design
Administration
Summary
Discussion Questions
17. Accountability and Evaluation
Issues and Themes
Learning Objectives
Evaluation Overview
Systematic Program Evaluation
Steps in a Systematic Evaluation
Value-added Evaluation
Summary
Discussion Questions
References
Glossary
Index
About the Author