Making sense of test-based accountability in education / Laura S. Hamilton, Brian M. Stecher, Stephen P. Klein, editors ; prepared for the National Science Foundation.

Format Electronic
Publication InfoSanta Monica, CA : Rand,
Descriptionxxi, 168 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
Supplemental ContentFull text available from eBooks on EBSCOhost
Supplemental ContentFull text available from Ebook Central - Academic Complete
Supplemental ContentFull text available from Ebook Central - Public Library Complete
Subjects

Other author/creatorHamilton, Laura S.
Other author/creatorStecher, Brian M.
Other author/creatorKlein, Stephen P., 1938-
Other author/creatorNational Science Foundation (U.S.)
Contents Machine generated contents note: Chapter One -- INTRODUCTION -- Defining the Terms -- Tests Are Used Widely and for Several Purposes -- New Federal Legislation Makes Testing Mandatory -- The Rationale for Test-Based Accountability Systems Is -- Compelling -- Test-Based Accountability Commands Substantial -- Resources -- About This Book -- Chapter Two -- TESTS AND THEIR USE IN TEST-BASED -- ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEMS -- A Brief History of Recent Trends in Large-Scale -- Assessment -- Using Assessments to Monitor Aggregate Academic -- Achievement -- Evolving from Minimum-Competency Testing to -- Measurement-Driven Instruction -- The Education Reform Movement and Increased Use -- of Standardized Tests -- The Second Wave of Reform: Testing Higher-Order -- Skills -- How Large-Scale Tests Are Used Today -- Content and Performance Standards -- Norm-Referenced Score Reporting -- Criterion-Referenced Score Reporting -- Comparing the Two Types of Score Reporting -- Disadvantages to Reporting Performance Solely as -- Norm or Criterion Referenced -- Aligning Tests and Standards -- Types of Assessments -- Reporting the Results of Large-Scale Assessments -- Setting Targets for Performance -- Measuring Status -- Measuring Change -- Rewards and Sanctions -- School-Level Incentives -- Student-Level Incentives -- Summary -- Chapter Three -- TECHNICAL CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING TESTS -- First, Some Background -- Score Reliability -- Factors That Affect Score Reliability -- Quantifying Score Reliability -- Score Reliability and Decisionmaking -- Validity -- Forms of Validity Evidence -- Validity of Scores and Gains Under High-Stakes -- Conditions -- Fairness -- Bias-Free Items and Tests -- Comparable Opportunities to Demonstrate -- Knowledge -- Trade-Offs: Testing Time, Costs, and Other Factors -- Conclusion -- Chapter Four -- CONSEQUENCES OF LARGE-SCALE, HIGH-STAKES -- TESTING ON SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM PRACTICE -- The Importance of the Effects of Testing -- The Effects of Testing and Test Validity -- Broadened Use of High-Stakes Testing to Promote -- Changes in School Practice -- Gathering Evidence About the Effects of High-Stakes -- Testing -- The Positive and Negative Effects of High-Stakes -- Testing -- Teacher Response to High-Stakes Testing -- Positive Classroom Effects -- Neutral and Negative Classroom Effects -- School-Level Effects -- Effects on Equity -- Summary -- Chapter Five -- ACCOUNTABILITYAS SEEN THROUGH -- A POLITICAL LENS -- Standardized Testing Facilitates Political Oversight of -- Education -- Which Groups Are Interested in Testing and -- Assessment? -- What Factors Influence Testing Policy? -- Public Opinion -- The Need to Show Results Quickly -- Testing as a Route to Achieving Other Policy Goals -- The Influence of Politics on How Tests Are Used -- Reconciling Policymaking Imperatives with Good -- Testing Standards -- Recommendations for Policymakers -- Recommendations for Testing and Measurement -- Professionals -- Chapter Six -- IMPROVING TEST-BASED ACCOUNTABILITY -- First, Some General Advice -- Improving Technical Quality -- Conduct Ongoing Evaluation of Technical Quality -- Incorporate Multiple Measures and Multiple -- Formats -- Incorporate Findings from Cognitive Psychology -- Collect and Maintain Rich Student-Level Data -- Adopt Stable Statistical Indicators -- Designing Systems That Have Positive Effects on -- Practice -- Conduct Ongoing Research and Evaluation of Effects -- on Practice -- Align Teacher Professional Development and -- Curriculum with Standards and Assessments -- Clarify the Desired Balance Between Accountability -- Purposes and Instructional Purposes -- Create Incentives That Promote Desired Goals -- Consider Each Policy's Potential Effects on Equity -- Political Considerations -- Facilitate Integration of Political and Professional -- Perspectives -- Incorporate Parents' Perspectives -- Explore Costs and Benefits of Alternative -- Approaches -- Conclusion.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (p. 149-168).
Access restrictionAvailable only to authorized users.
Other formsAlso available in electronic form via the RAND Corporation Web site.
Technical detailsMode of access: World Wide Web
Genre/formElectronic books.
LCCN 2002069685
ISBN0833031619

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