Question 1

The validity of any test is related directly to the

Accepted Answer

The validity of a test refers to whether it measures what it is intended to measure. Therefore, the purpose of the test is directly related to its validity. The difficulty, length, and evaluation of expert reviewers may impact the reliability or accuracy of the test, but they do not determine the validity.

Question 2

A typical criterion-referenced report card that reports student learning tends to be

Accepted Answer

Criterion-referenced report cards require teachers to assess and report on specific skills or knowledge criteria, which can be time-consuming and complex. This type of report card is not typically designed for group comparisons but rather focuses on individual student achievement. It may be convenient, but some students may not find it helpful as it focuses on specific criteria rather than overall performance. Criterion-referenced report cards can be used effectively at all grade levels.

Question 3

Ms. Bateman writes "the answer is just great" as the only comment on a student's paper. Based on Woolfolk's discussion of feedback, this type of feedback is

Accepted Answer

Ms. Bateman's feedback of "the answer is just great" is too vague and does not provide any constructive feedback for the student to improve their work. According to Woolfolk, effective feedback should be specific, focused on the task, and provide guidance for improvement. Therefore, this type of feedback is rarely appropriate regardless of grade level or type of test.

Question 4

The type of skills that would be most effective for teachers to have in conducting conferences with students and their families is skill in

Accepted Answer

Effective communication skills are essential for teachers when conducting conferences with students and their families. Teachers must be able to clearly communicate academic progress and areas for improvement, as well as listen and respond to the concerns and questions of parents and students. This includes being able to adapt communication styles to different audiences and situations, and being able to convey information in a sensitive, respectful, and culturally responsive manner. While academic knowledge, creativity, and problem-solving skills are also important for teachers, they are not as directly relevant to conducting successful conferences with families.

Question 5

A popular grading system to use for combining grades from many assignments is to use

Accepted Answer

A point system allows for a straightforward and transparent calculation of total points earned, which can be easily converted to a final grade. This system also allows for flexibility in weighting specific assignments or categories within the grade, as well as providing a clear understanding of the value of each assignment. Using an average of grades from all sources can be problematic if there are outliers or discrepancies between grading scales, and percentage grading can also be difficult to implement if assignments have different point values. Norm-referenced scores are also problematic as they only compare a student's performance to that of their peers and not to a clear set of standards or expectations.

Question 6

When teachers want to give different weights to tests and assignments, it is most appropriate to use a what type of grading system?

Accepted Answer

Point or norm-referenced grading allows for assigning different point values to different assessments, which can then be weighted to determine an overall grade for the course. This is the most appropriate system for giving different weights to tests and assignments.

Question 7

Mr. Garren has been emphasizing authentic testing in his social studies class. Which one of the following will be a likely result of this emphasis?

Accepted Answer

Authentic testing typically involves real-world tasks or projects that require students to apply and demonstrate their knowledge and skills in a meaningful context. Exhibitions by students of their work would be a likely result of this emphasis, as they would showcase their understanding and application of social studies concepts in a tangible and practical way. Fewer essay tests (A) would not necessarily be a result of emphasizing authentic testing, as essays can still be a valid form of authentic assessment. Mastery grading of performances (C) and more reliable grading of students (D) could also be associated with authentic testing, but do not necessarily have to be a direct result of it.

Question 8

A local high school developed a math achievement test and used the results to determine the selection of students for an advanced placement course with a limited number of seats. What type of test should be used?

Accepted Answer

Norm-referenced tests compare individual performance to a group of similar individuals, allowing for ranking of test-takers. This makes it appropriate for situations like selecting a limited number of students for an advanced placement course where ranking is important. Criterion-referenced and diagnostic tests are used primarily for instructional purposes, while standardized tests can be either norm-referenced or criterion-referenced.

Question 9

Grades should be tied to meaningful course objectives so that

Accepted Answer

The answer of Grades should be tied to meaningful course...

Question 10

Which one of the following situations requires a norm-referenced evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Norm-referenced evaluation compares an individual's performance to that of a larger group and ranks them accordingly. In this situation, hiring one manager from a pool of ten applicants requires a norm-referenced evaluation because the evaluation will rank the applicants' performance relative to each other and the best-qualified candidate will be chosen. The other options require criterion-referenced evaluations, where individual performance is compared against a set standard or criteria.

Question 11

Criterion-referenced tests are used primarily to assess

Accepted Answer

Criterion-referenced tests are designed to measure mastery of specific objectives or skills. They are not intended to compare one student's achievement to that of others, nor are they meant to assess general instructional goals or the range of achievement in a large group.

Question 12

Paper-and-pencil exercises, direct observations of performances, development of portfolios, and creation of artifacts are all methods of

Accepted Answer

These are all methods of assessing student learning or performance. Assessment is a broader term than evaluation, which typically involves making judgments or assigning grades based on assessment results. Measurement and testing are more specific terms that generally refer to the use of standardized instruments or procedures to assess student learning.

Question 13

Which one of the following procedures would improve the reliability and validity of grading short essay tests, thus refuting the complaint of sensitivity to bias and variability in grading?

Accepted Answer

Using a scoring rubric would improve the reliability and validity of grading short essay tests because it provides a clear and objective set of criteria for evaluating student responses, minimizing the potential for bias and variability in grading. Administering more pretests may help improve the quality of student responses but would not necessarily address bias or variability in grading. Grading on the curve and implementing a contract system do not directly address the issue of bias and variability in grading.

Question 14

A recommended procedure for authentic assessment is

Accepted Answer

Involving students in the creation of rating scales and scoring rubrics for authentic assessments can increase understanding and engagement in the process. Grading on the curve can be arbitrary and unfair, while limiting the use of only clearly defined tasks may not allow for the full range of skills and knowledge to be assessed. Gradual integration of authentic assessment should also not be based solely on achievement level, but rather on the needs of the learners and the objectives of the assessment.

Question 15

The most important attribute of a norming sample is that it should be

Accepted Answer

The answer of The most important attribute of a norming...

Question 16

When a test actually measures what it purports to measure, the test is said to be

Accepted Answer

Validity refers to the extent to which a test measures what it is supposed to measure. Credibility refers to the believability or trustworthiness of the test or results. Reliability refers to the consistency or dependability of the test results. Usability refers to how user-friendly or accessible the test is. While all of these characteristics are important, validity is the most important when it comes to the accuracy and usefulness of a test.

Question 17

What strategy is recommended instead of assigning a failing grade to students' poor work?

Accepted Answer

Assigning failing grades does not provide opportunities for students to improve their academic performance. Instead, providing support for students to revise their work can help them better understand where they went wrong and how to improve their work. This strategy is also more likely to motivate students to engage with the material and work to improve their performance.

Question 18

A test or any assessment instrument is objective to the extent that it

Accepted Answer

Objectivity of a test or assessment instrument refers to its freedom from bias of the administrators and scorers. A test that is objectively constructed and administered provides an accurate and fair evaluation of the test-taker's abilities, knowledge, and skills without any influence of personal biases or opinions. The other options, such as measuring a few variables at a time, predicting an important criterion, and yielding the same score each time, are related to different aspects of a test's validity and reliability, but not necessarily to its objectivity.

Question 19

For which one of the following situations would a criterion-referenced test be the most appropriate measure to use?

Accepted Answer

A criterion-referenced test is designed to measure mastery of specific skills or competencies, rather than comparing individuals to one another or assessing a broad range of abilities. Measuring mastery of basic competencies such as addition and subtraction would be an appropriate use of a criterion-referenced test.

Question 20

A school administrator wants to identify the top 10 percent of the Grade 12 students in order to recommend them for scholarship competition at the highest rated university in Canada. What testing purpose would serve the administrator's purpose?

Accepted Answer

The norm-referenced testing purpose compares a student's performance to a group of other students who have taken the same test. This would be the most appropriate testing purpose for the school administrator's goal of identifying the top 10% of Grade 12 students. This allows for a ranking of students based on their performance compared to their peers, which is what is needed for scholarship recommendations. Criterion-referenced testing measures a student's performance against a set standard, diagnostic testing is used to identify strengths and weaknesses in a student's knowledge or skills, and standardized testing refers to the process of administering a test under controlled conditions. While standardized testing may be used in addition to norm-referenced testing, it is not specific to the goal of recommending top students for scholarships.

Quiz 14: Classroom Assessment and Grading