Transcript Why Test? - theTRC.org

Why Test?
•Comparative
–To standards (criteria based)
–To others (norm referenced)
•Diagnostic
What do we want to learn from the
test?
• Who knows science and who does not.
– NOT who is a good reader and who is not
– NOT who is a good test taker and who is not
You need a test blueprint
• Assures that what is being taught is tested
• Assures a balance of coverage of
performance objectives
• Defines what the test will cover
• Is a guide for reporting
What makes some tests better than
others?
• Appropriate number of items for each SE
tested (5 is minimum for % correct score)
• Requires the use of both knowledge and
skills
• May cover more than one TEKS
• Goes beyond reading and recalling
Reading Level
• Reading levels as low as possible
• Sentence structure is simple
• Words, other than science vocabulary,
should be as simple as possible
• Short sentences rather than long
Graphics
• Graphics can simplify and engage
• Do not use simply to “decorate”
• Use for clarification
Alignment to objective
• Make sure that the test question is actually
aligned to the TEKS and the Student
expectation
• Make sure it is testing what you taught
Some other thoughts
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Avoid the use of “you”
Provide focus in the questions
Make it clear what you are asking
Avoid negatives
Items shouldn’t “clue” other items
Options should be in logical order
There should be a rationale for the
distractor
continued
• The question should have one clearly
correct answer
• The options should be free of repetitious
information
• Distractors should be plausible
• The options should be parallel
• Options should not be opposites of each
other
That being said….
• Let’s look at TSDS