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Standardized Testing (1). EDU 330: Educational Psychology Daniel Moos. Why are we doing this???. Classroom Assessment: Validity & reliability. Statistics and standard scores (1). Evaluating results of standardized tests through descriptive statistics (Measures of central tendency) :
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Standardized Testing (1) EDU 330: Educational Psychology Daniel Moos
Statistics and standard scores(1) Evaluating results of standardized tests through descriptive statistics(Measures of central tendency): (1) Mean: Average score (2) Median: Middle score in the distribution (3) Mode: Most frequent score (4)Range: Distance between top and bottom score in distribution
Statistics and standard scores(2) • Standard Deviation (SD): • Statistical measure of spread of scores • If data points are close to mean, then SD ≈ 0 • If many data points are not close to mean, then SD > Example: Class number one: Mean = 80; Standard deviation = 10 Class number two: Mean = 80; Standard deviation = 2 Which class has a greater distribution of scores? #1 #2 70 80 90 70 80 90
Statistics and standard scores(3) • Standard Deviation (SD): Translating into percentile ranks Example: Mean of scores is 80 and standard deviation of 6 62 68 74 80 86 92 98 0% 2% 16% 84% 98% 100% 50%
Statistics and standard scores(4) Evaluating standardized tests through descriptive statistics,continued • Standard Error of Measurement • Due to measurement error, scores represent an approximation of student’s “true” score • Example: • Tonka obtains a score of 80 on a standardized test. • Standard error of measurement is 6 • The range of Dan’s true score would be 74 to 86.
Statistics and standard scores(5) • Raw Scores: • What do they really mean? • Percentiles: • ≠ percentages • Rankings are not equal (e.g., raw score of 58 = 90th percentile, raw score of 56 = 80th, 54 = 60th, 53 = 50th) • Stanines: • Range: 1 to 9 • Stanine 5 = center of distribution • Each Stanine above/below is +/- 0.5 SD • Example: Stanine 7 = +1 SD; Stanine 3 = -1 SD; Stanine 8 = __SD • Grade equivalents: • Compares scores with particular age group (1st digit = grade, 2nd digit = month) • Example: Grade equivalent for total reading of 8.4 means __ ?
Suggestions for preparing your students for taking standardized tests(1) • Standardized tests should be an accurate representation of actual ability • Positive Attitude (Gulek, 2003) • Emphasize the role of feedback • Understanding directions • Listen to or read directions carefully • Follow directions carefully (i.e. be sure to to darken the entire space) • Check to make sure the appropriate response is marked on the answer sheet • Strategic test taking • Set a pace for taking test (bypass difficult items) • Make informed guesses rather than omit items
Suggestions for preparing your students for taking standardized tests(2) • Standardized tests should be an accurate representation of actual ability • Examine test booklet, exam questions, etc (earlier released version) • Familiarize students with test directions • Cautiously interpret scores • Consider alternative explanations, particularly with below-average performance • Control impact of negative expectations • Low scores incapable of learning! • Communication with parents/guardians/administers • Tests estimates
Standardized Testing &Technology • Online test preparation • Private, for-profit organizations (Princeton Review) • Smarthinking (sample tutorials) • TestGear (diagnostic pretest, teacher and student receive results) • Computer-based testing • Pros: (1) Immediate, detailed report; (2) Reduces cheating; (3) Different interface (i.e. display periodic table of elements and student needs to drag element to correct location) • Cons: (1) Resource intensive (cost and maintenance); (2) Interruptions, loss of data; (3) Pencil-and-paper = Computer-based testing? (Lesson, 2006)