Module 9: Assessment Journal Entry #5 for Answers to This Journal Entry, Click Here

Jaryga 1

Module 9: Assessment Journal Entry #5

1. Explain the similarities and differences between norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests. Give two examples of each.
2. Norm-referenced tests are used to rank students – or to order students. Scores are reported in percentiles. There is a broad range of content in order to spread the scores.
3. Criterion-referenced tests are used to determine (assess) student achievement with regards to a given set of criteria. Scores are reported using percentages. There is a narrow range of content that is defined by a set of criteria.
4. Similarities: Both can be standardized. Both can be valid and reliable. Both assess student knowledge.
5. Example criterion-referenced tests: TAKS; TExES
6. Example norm-referenced tests: SAT; LSAT; MCAT; GMAT; ITBS; Most achievement tests
   
7. Define the following assessment terms related to standardized testing:
8. standard deviation – the average deviation of a group of scores from the mean of that group
9. central tendency – measures of central tendency are mean, median, and mode – these are indicators of the scores that fall in the middle (center) of a range of score
10. mean – arithmetic average of a group of scores
11. median – the middle score – such that half of the scores are above this score, and half of the scores are below this score in a given range of scores
12. mode – the most frequently occurring score among a group of scores
13. range – the difference between the highest and lowest scores for a given set of scores
14. standard error of measurement – an estimation of the degree of error in an obtained score
15. raw scores – a score that has not been manipulated or deviated to be compared with other scores or compared to a test
16. percentage (percent correct) – number of correct answers/number of total answers
17. percentile rank – score that represents the percentage of test takers in a given population that scored the same as or below that given score
18. grade equivalent – represents a test takers score in years and month of a school year in relation to the norm group
19. z-scores – a derived score that has a mean, average, of 0 and a standard deviation of 1
20. T-scores – a derived score with a mean, average, of 50 and a standard deviation of 10
21. Normal Curve Equivalent (NCE) score – a derived normal score, or a score used in comparison to other test takers in the norm group, with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 21.06
22. stanine – a derived score that indicates the approximate location of a score on the normal curve (Bell Curve)
23. scale scores – a derived score used in standardized to indicate growth in years
24. normal curve (Bell Curve) – representation of the ideal distribution of a set of scores when all scores are known
    
25. Students in public schools in the State of Texas take TAKS tests. What are the TAKS tests? When do students take them? Are they norm-referenced or criterion referenced? What type of scores is reported? How would you be able to determine whether the TAKS tests are valid and reliable?
    The TAKS test is the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, a standardized test taken, in some form, by all students in the Texas public school system. Students start taking them in the 3rd grade and take practice tests every subsequent year, but only take the actual test at certain grade levels. The TAKS test is criterion-referenced and scores are reported as the number of questions answered correctly over the number of total scores. Determining the validity and reliability of the TAKS test could be achieved by testing a large number of students at varying levels of achievement; the test results would be valid and reliable if the scores accurately reflect the students’ actual performance.
    
26. What standardized test do your students take? Is it norm-referenced or criterion-referenced? How do you know? What type of scores is reported? Is the test a "valid" and "reliable" assessment of the curriculum at your school? Be sure to explain your answer carefully, using a clear understanding of the terms "valid" and "reliable" (refer back to McMillan, Chapter 3, if necessary).
    My students take the criterion-referenced TAKS tests; I know that the test is criterion-referenced for several reasons: 1) there is a set of criteria or curriculum that I am required to teach my students some of which will be included on the TAKS test, 2) the scores are reported as the number of questions answered correctly in reference to the total number of questions, not how the student did in reference to his or her peers. The test is a “valid” and “reliable” assessment of the curriculum used at my school because I teach the TEKS objectives that will be tested on the TAKS test, along with other objectives. The test is valid for my students because they have all been taught the material in such a way as to gain understanding and mastery of the concepts; the test will reflect their true achievement because they have been exposed to the material already and the test will reflect that.