Standards-Based Tests A measure of student achievement in which a student’s score is compared to a standard of performance.

Standards-based tests are designed to determine whether students have attained targeted knowledge, understanding, and skills that have been identified as important. These tests are criterion-referenced tests. Standards-based tests are now the most common type of standardized assessments used in schools.

Standards of Comparison Norm-referenced standardized tests The student’s score is compared to the standard of the norm group scores. (compares to others taking tests) Criterion-referenced standardized test The student’s score is compared to the standard of a cutoff score set by the test authors. (compares to standards, e.g., PSSA)

Forms of Standardized Tests  Multiple choice  Writing samples  Oral question and answer  Task performance

Test Validity Does the test measure what it claims to measure?  Content validity. Do the test items adequately reflect the skills, behaviors or content to be measured?  Concurrent validity. Is performance on one test correlated to performance on a similar well- established test that measures the same thing?  Predictive validity. Does this test predict future performance?

Test Reliability Does the test exhibit consistency? Will students likely receive similar scores with successive administrations and scorings. Will different scorers yield similar results?

What Contributes to A Student’s Score?  Knowledge and/or skill level  Content knowledge  Reading ability  Student test-taking skills  Student understanding of directions More on next slide!

What Contributes to a Student’s Score?  Student motivation  Student physical well-being  Student mental well-being  Curricular coverage in the school  Teacher effectiveness  Parental aspiration/pressure

Checklist for Preparing Students  Teach assessment-taking skills.  Communicate format, length, type.  Teach to test (Do not teach the test.)  Share the assessment blueprint.  Review before the assessment.  Announce date and time of assessment.  Prepare students for success.

A Few Strategies Students Should Know