1 Tools for Public Understanding of Assessment Ronald Dietel National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing at UCLA CRESST Conference Los Angeles, CA September 9, 2004
2 Barriers to Public Understanding of Assessment Lack of current public understanding Frequent policy changes Frequent assessment changes Expanded information
3 Barriers to Public Understanding of Assessment Transfer agents Misunderstandings Frequent turnover Editor push “Not my job” attitude Limited Resources
4 The Need for Better Understanding of Assessment Frequent Policy Changes Public Misunderstanding Not my job attitude Frequent Assessment Changes Limited Resources Lack of current understanding Transfer Agent Expanded Information
5 Focus on What We Can Control Newspapers/Reporters Internet Sources Leveraging other organizations through accurate, timely information Publications (Magazines, books)
6 Some Efforts to Date Education Writers Association Hechinger Institute Regional Seminars AERA/NCME Conferences Internet Various Publications
7 Get Smart Learning Model Home Learning Schools & Teachers Ability Evaluation Communications Classroom Learning Effort Attitudes/ Beliefs
8 The CAESL Project Specific goal to increase public understanding of assessment Reviewed and referenced existing useful articles Developed 10 knowledge briefs Standard presentations aligned to briefs Educators Assessment Toolkit
9 Products are Based on CAESL Principles Quality Assessment Is …… Supportive of student learning Research-based Aligned to important content Fair Accurate and efficient
10 Knowledge Brief Topics Why test students? What parents should know about tests Making sense of test Scores Helping your child perform well on tests Test accuracy and use Testing students with learning disabilities Achievement gaps Using tests to measure teacher quality Testing very young Children Effects of state testing
11 Contact Information Ron Dietel: Jacquey Barber: