Gourt > Society > Issues > Education > Standardized Testing (1)
Standardized testing is the use of common tests across a variety of schools or contexts. The label standardized usually means scores are expressed in terms that relate to results on the test of a wider reference group of students, often referred to as a norm group. This type of test includes both attainment and aptitude tests given to grade-school students, the British GCSEs, and the American SATs. Aptitude tests are intended to predict future performance or potential.
A standardized test is a tool designed with the intention of assessing student knowledge, attainment, or aptitude in a given subject in a standarized manner across different schools. In practice, standardized tests used across schools are mostly composed of multiple-choice and true-false questions, and short-answer or essay writing components which are assigned a score by people other than the student's teacher.
Overview
Standardized tests generally include at least some multiple-choice and true-false questions. These can be graded by computer, or by humans who do not understand the material in depth, as long as they have a list of the correct answers. One potential defect in such tests is that the test-taker can accidentally skip a line and then be marked wrong on material to which he or she knew the correct answer. More on [ Standardized testing ]
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Preparing Children to Learn to Read: Is Standardized Testing ...: A public school teacher faced with teaching t.. http://bit.ly/1MZHwU
Phelpshut (Travis Phelps) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:06:55 -0000
Preparing Children to Learn to Read: Is Standardized Testing ...: A public school teacher faced with teaching t.. http://bit.ly/1MZHwU
Preparing Children to Learn to Read: Is Standardized Testing ... http://bit.ly/2AU9qJ
homeschoolnews (Homeschool News) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:25:33 -0000
Preparing Children to Learn to Read: Is Standardized Testing ... http://bit.ly/2AU9qJ
Preparing Children to Learn to Read: Is Standardized Testing ... http://bit.ly/1xZXnO
VentureGained (Venture Gained) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:24:27 -0000
Preparing Children to Learn to Read: Is Standardized Testing ... http://bit.ly/1xZXnO
Boo standardized testing and bad drivers
Tavitatheboss (Tavita Sheehan) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:19:41 -0000
Boo standardized testing and bad drivers
On a side note: Subject tests over. Hopefully, no more standardized testing for a long long time. I think U.S. History went well despite...
Sidhlariel (Lindsey) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:11:26 -0000
On a side note: Subject tests over. Hopefully, no more standardized testing for a long long time. I think U.S. History went well despite...
Preparing Children to Learn to Read: Is Standardized Testing ... http://bit.ly/H4j8v
dougrenz (Doug Renz) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:10:51 -0000
Preparing Children to Learn to Read: Is Standardized Testing ... http://bit.ly/H4j8v
Accountability - Reports, essays, and links from organization generally supportive of raising standards and measuring their achievement.
A Faculty Review of AQIP in Higher Education - An essay by Dr. Frank Edler reviews the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP),an alternative accreditation program associated with the Higher Learning Commission, from a faculty perspective.
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Achieve - Organization devoted to improving the rigor and clarity of the process of standard-setting and testing. Provides standard-setting and benchmarking services to states and districts.
ACT, Inc. - The organization responsible for the American College Test, required for admission to the public colleges in the majority of states; manages other tests and programs, too.
Meta Description: [ Known for the ACT test, a college entrance exam, ACT is a nonprofit organization offering educational and workplace measurement and research services. ]
AFT - Hot Topics - Standards-Based Reform - Research and opinion from the American Federation of Teachers on standards and standardized tests.
An On-line, Interactive, Computer Adaptive Testing Tutorial - Lawrence Rudner has set up a mock CAT to illustrate how they work, with many citations at the end for further reading.
Appropriate Use of High Stakes Testing in Our Nation's Schools - Provides information on the appropriate use of testing in schools. Although testing is a valuable part of educational assessment, when tests are used in high-stakes circumstances, a number of safeguards must be in place.
Meta Description: [ Provides information on the appropriate use of testing in schools. Although testing is a valuable part of educational assessment, when tests are used in high-stakes circumstances, a number of safeguards must be in place. ]
Brouhaha on National School Testing - Most American parents are being told by local schools that their children rank above average in both reading and math. Christian Science Monitor.
Meta Description: [ Brouhaha on National School Testing ]
Buros Institute - The Buros Institute, publishers of The Mental Measurements Yearbook and Tests in Print, provides critical analyses of tests and testing instruments.
CAHRS: Index of Working Papers - Center for Advanced Human Resource Studies, Cornell University. In particular, see papers by John Bishop on student testing and John Boudreau on personnel testing.
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Cheating Teacher Skews Schools' Test Scores - The unfair help given to students forced Lawrence, Kansas school officials to ask the state education department to throw out some test results.
College Entrance Examination Board - Organization representing hundreds of colleges responsible for the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), the Advanced Placement (AP) program, and various equity efforts.
Meta Description: [ Connect to college success - Learn more about College Board programs that increase access to college and opportunity. ]
Considerations in Developing and Using Computer-Adaptive Tests to Assess Second Language Proficiency - A paper by Patricia A. Dunkel, Georgia State University.
Meta Description: [ The Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) aims to promote and improve the teaching and learning of languages, identify and solve problems related to language and culture, and serve as a resource for information about language and culture. CAL carries out a wide range of activities including resear... ]
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CRESST Homepage - The federally-funded Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing conducts research on topics related to K-12 educational testing.
Curriculum Support Key to Test Success - Teachers discuss preparation for the new TAKS test in Texas.
ECS: No Child Left Behind (USA) - Relevant resources related to NCLB, both inside ECS and from other external sources.
Education Commission of the States: Assessment - Assessment issue directory from ECS, an organization formed through a bipartisan interstate compact to help state officials study education issues.
Education Consumers Clearinghouse - Provides education's consumers access to information and opinion independent of the education community and sympathetic to the consumer's concerns and priorities.
ETS on the Issues - Essays from the maker of the SAT, GRE and other well-known standardized tests.
ETS: Policy Information Reports - Several dozen research reports from the maker of the SAT, GRE and other well-known tests. Reports are authored both by ETS researchers and invited critics.
Frontline: Secrets of the SAT - Television documentary focusing on the college-entrance Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT).
Meta Description: [ This report looks at standardized tests like the SAT and examines the national obsession over the SAT test. How fair, reliable and democratic is the SAT and what has been its
impact on racial diversity on campus? This documentary also explores the history of the SAT and meritocracy in the United... ]
Measuring What Matters - PDF format report from business/economic development group supportive of testing.
National Assessment Governing Board - Made up of elected and appointed officials; oversees the content and operation of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
National Association of Test Directors - An association of professionals with responsibilities for administering assessment programs in K-12 public educational settings. A selection of their research papers and newsletters are available on the site.
Meta Description: [ Directors of Research in Education ]
National Center for Fair and Open Testing - A nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to preventing the misuse of standardized tests.
National Council on Measurement in Education - The primary U.S. organization of measurement researchers and practitioners involved in educational testing.
Meta Description: [ NCME is a professional organization for individuals involved in assessment, evaluation, testing, and other aspects of educational measurement. ]
National Research Council: Board on Testing and Assessment - The BOTA was created to assist policymakers and the public on issues of testing and assessment in education, the workplace, and the armed services.
NCPA - Education - Testing, International Comparisons and Curriculum - Essays that review news and magazine stories, from the politically conservative National Center for Policy Analysis
NCTE Moves to Present Own Voice on High-Stakes Testing - Members of the National Council of Teachers of English pass a resolution to encourage continued research regarding the impact of high-stakes testing.
NCTE.org - On Developing a Test Taker's Bill of Rights - Resolution passed at the NCTE 2000 annual meeting.
OECD PISA Online - The new Programme for International Student Assessment of the OECD, involves dozens of countries testing their 15 year olds' skills and knowledge as they approach the end of compulsory education.
Meta Description: [ Welcome to the OECD, an international organisation helping governments tackle the economic, social and governance challenges of a globalised economy.. ]
Peter Sacks - Site maintained by Peter Sacks, author of books and articles about standardized testing, intelligence testing and achievement testing in education and the workplace.
Meta Description: [ The website maintained by Peter Sacks, author of ]
Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation - This on-line journal provides education professionals access to refereed articles that can have a positive impact on assessment, research, evaluation, and teaching practice.
Meta Description: [ This on-line journal provides education professionals access to refereed articles that can have a positive impact on assessment, research, evaluation, and teaching practice, especially at the local education agency (LEA) level. ]
Rethinking Standardized Testing - Discusses the reasons that some students have chosen to boycott mandatory state standardized tests. Seattle Press.
Meta Description: [ The Seattle Press is Seattle's principal neighborhood newspaper, serving the community since 1985 with news, features, commentary, calendar and advertising. ]
Richard Phelps - Personal site of Richard Phelps which reviews over the books he has written and several other resources.
Right Answer, Wrong Score: Test Flaws Take Toll - Article accusing test development companies of inadequate staffing, quality control, and poor execution. Requires registration.
Scans: Real Tests for Real Kids - Wired News: Canadian educational software developer Gerry Morgan may have found a way to assess qualities such as creativity, insight, and teamwork.
Meta Description: [ Get in-depth tech news coverage from Wired and read about how it is shaping culture, education, entertainment, communications and technology. ]
Standardized Test Scores - RealAudio stream of an NPR report on parents objecting to the use of standardized tests to promote or hold back students in public schools.
Meta Description: [ NPR's Claudio Sanchez reports on a growing number of parents who are complaining that the use of standardized tests to promote or hold back students in public schools is unfair. The federal government is investigating charges made by a parent's group in Chicago. That investigation is being closel... ]
Statewide Mathematics Assessment in Texas - A comparison of the Texas TAAS test to other standards.
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STATS at Work: The War Against Testing - Summary of article challenging SAT opponents' logic, methods, and evidence.
Student Assessment and Testing - Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory Equity Center position paper.
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Test Bashing Series - A series of essays from the year 2000 that counter allegations made by standardized testing's opponents.
Meta Description: [ EducationNews.org is the leading education & education news online source that offers in depth reporting & commentary on all Education topics from policy to methodology. ]
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Testing in American Schools: Asking the Right Questions - Complete 1992 report from the former Office of Technology Assessement, now available in PDF format.
The Education Trust - EdTrust works for the high academic achievement of all students at all levels, kindergarten through college.
Meta Description: [ The
Education Trust works for the high academic achievement of all students at all
levels, kindergarten through college, and forever closing the achievement gaps
that separate low-income students and students of color from other youth. Our
basic tenet is this — All children will learn a... ]
The Evils of Mandatory Testing - As home schooling grows as a movement, there is increasing political pressure to legislate and control home schoolers.
Meta Description: [ As home schooling grows as a movement, there is increasing politics from anti-home school forces to try to interfere with or legislatively control home schoolers. ]
The International Study Center at Boston College - ISC home page, headquarters for research on the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), PIRLS, and other ISC projects.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress - The Nation's Report Card since 1969, assessments have been conducted on national samples of schools periodically in major subject areas.
Meta Description: [ The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is the only nationally representative assessment of what students know and can do in various subjects, reported in the Nation's Report Card. ]
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Unintended Consequences of High-Stakes Testing - Essay on the positive unintended consequences of high-stakes testing.
Meta Description: [ EducationNews.org is the leading education & education news online source that offers in depth reporting & commentary on all Education topics from policy to methodology. ]
When a Test Fails the Schools, Careers and Reputations Suffer - Article accusing a testing company of making scoring mistakes and then covering them up. New York Times. Requires registration.
Why Testing Experts Hate Testing - Explanations of and counterarguments to often-used criticisms of standardized tests.
Wired News: A D-Minus for Computer Exams - Testing centers are going back to paper in some overseas regions.
Meta Description: [ Get in-depth tech news coverage from Wired and read about how it is shaping culture, education, entertainment, communications and technology. ]
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