1. Provisionally Certified Teachers In-Service Program August 3 & 4, 2004     Utah State Office of Education ASTE Department, Utah State University  

2. “To help the student by diagnosing academic weaknesses”
Why do we test?
One View …
“To determine whether or not the students have mastered the objectives”
Another View …
“To help the student by diagnosing academic weaknesses”

3. Measurement & Evaluation
Measurement – The systematic assignment of numbers (or names) to attributes
98 degrees, 99 on a test, 25’ tree, 90 yrs old… 90 lbs
Evaluation – The application of judgement concerning the results of measurement
Hot, An A+ is Super, Tall, Slender
Assessment – The process of collecting, interpreting, and synthesizing information to aid in decision making
M + E = A
Keep the kids inside, Passing, The tree has matured, He needs more CH2O

4. Kinds of Evaluations Formative Summative
Conducted as the unit is being taught
Useful as feedback
Monitors progress
Discussion questions, homework
Summative
Conducted at the end of a unit
Useful for assessment
Final Exams

5. Kinds of Evaluations Diagnostic Placement
Helps evaluate student problems or concerns
Can be formative and/or summative
Placement
Used to determine if a student has appropriate skills/knowledge to participate in a group
Entrance exams

6. CRT vs. NRT
Criterion Referenced Testing – Testing to determine how a person mastered well-identified content
Used for …
Measuring performance & assigning grades
Diagnostic purposes
Motivation
Influencing study habits
Improving classroom effectiveness

7. CRT vs. NRT
Norm Referenced Testing – Testing to determine how a person performed in comparison with that of a group
Used for …
College placement
Competition comparisons
Comparing apples & oranges (countries, states, school districts)

8. Characteristics of a Good Test
The test is valid
Does the test measure what it is being used to measure?
The test is reliable
Are scores consistent?
The test is constructed to facilitate ease of taking and scoring
The test is of an appropriate length

9. Authentic Assessment
An authentic assessment usually includes a task for students to perform and a rubric by which their performance on the task will be evaluated.
Product-like
Performance-like

10. Authentic Assessment Product-like Performance-like
Short-answer & essay questions
Show your work
Journal response
Performance-like
Typing test
Complete a step of science lab
On demand, construct a short musical, dance or dramatic response
On demand, exhibit an athletic skill