Understanding Standardized Testing

12 Questions

What does standardization refer to in standardized testing?

Standardization refers to administering, scoring, and interpreting the test under the same conditions for all students.

What are the two types of standardized tests mentioned in the content?

Achievement and Aptitude tests.

What is the difference between Achievement and Aptitude tests?

Achievement tests measure past learning, while aptitude tests predict future performance.

How are standardized test scores reported?

Standardized test scores may be reported as Criterion-Referenced or Norm Referenced.

Percentile ranks range from 1-100.

False

Grade Level Equivalents scores provide information about a student's performance relative to ________.

grade level and month

What does a Confidence Interval of 67.5 to 76.5 mean?

If we were to repeatedly test the student under the same conditions, 68% of the student’s scores would fall between 67.5 and 76.5.

Match the following students who have statistically similar scores and who have statistically different scores:

Statistically Similar Scores = Brian and Ann Statistically Different Scores = Ann and Judy

Is the student stronger in Reading or Social Studies? How do you know?

Social Studies

Is the student stronger in Math or Reading? How do you know?

Math

Based on the test results, where is an area you might recommend remediation for this particular student and why?

Language; The error bands for Language overlap with Total Mathematics, indicating a potential weakness in Language that may require remediation.

Have your thoughts about your recommendation changed after looking at the Grade Card for the same student? Why or why not?

Answers will vary depending on the Grade Card content. Generally, changes in the Grade Card might impact remediation recommendations based on additional performance data.

Study Notes

What is Standardized about Standardized Testing?

Standardization indicates that the exam is administered, scored, and interpreted the same way regardless of when or where it is given.
This means each student takes the examination under the same "standard" conditions.
Students need to be given the same amount of time, same instructions, and same assistance provided to ALL students taking the test at ALL locations.

Breaking Standardization

Breaking the standard conditions of the testing process is considered cheating.
Examples of breaking standardization include:
- Providing unfair assistance to a student (e.g., giving hints or explanations).
- Allowing students to have different testing conditions (e.g., extra time or a quieter environment).

Types of Standardized Tests

There are two types of standardized tests:
- Achievement Tests: Measure a student's mastery of previously taught material.
  - Examples: Ohio Achievement Tests (OATs), Ohio Graduation Test (OGT), Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS).
  - Assess knowledge in content areas like math and reading.
- Aptitude Tests: Measure a student's potential for future success.
  - Examples: Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), ACT, PSAT.
  - Predict future performance based on scores.

Reporting Standardized Test Scores

Scores can be reported in two ways:
- Criterion-Referenced: Comparing student performance to a specific standard or criterion.
  - Examples: Number and Percent Correct, Performance Speed, Performance Quality, and Performance Precision.
- Norm-Referenced: Comparing student performance to that of a larger group of students (the "norm").
  - Examples: Raw Scores, Percentile Ranks, Standardized Scores (e.g., z-scores, t-scores).

Norm-Referenced Scores

Percentile Ranks: A score in the 85th percentile means the student performed better than 85% of the students who took the test.
Standardized Scores: Transformed scores that allow for comparison across different tests and student populations.
- z-scores: Based on the normal distribution of scores, with a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1.
- t-scores: Similar to z-scores, but with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10.
- Stanines: Standard nine scores, with a mean of 5 and a standard deviation of 2.
- NCEs (Normal Curve Equivalents): Similar to percentile ranks, but with equal intervals.

Confidence Intervals

Standard Error (SEM): The average amount of measurement error across students in the norm group.
Confidence Intervals: A range of scores within which the "true" ability score likely lies.
- Example: A score of 72 on a Math test with a standard error of 4.5 would have a confidence interval of 67.5 to 76.5.

Importance of Multiple Assessments

No single test score should be used to make judgments about a student's abilities.
Multiple assessments provide a more comprehensive picture of student performance.
Educators should use data to inform instruction and make decisions, but also consider the limitations of standardized testing.