Evaluating the Use of Interim Assessments as Measures of Teacher Effectiveness

• In Event: Roundtable Session 46
  In Roundtable Session: Issues in Accountability Models and Practices

Abstract

In many states, the design of recently implemented teacher effectiveness systems calls for the use of interim assessments to evaluate student growth in both tested and non-stated tested subjects. The use of interim assessments in teacher evaluations is common since these assessments were identified as measures for evaluating student growth in the Federal Race to the Top grant initiative, and since these measures provide a common basis for which teachers in the language arts, sciences, and math can be evaluated. The findings presented from this case study in a large school district raise questions and concerns about a common assumption made by districts and states that these types of assessments can be used to draw valid inferences about teacher effectiveness.

Author

• Elena Kitaoka Diaz-Bilello, National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment, Inc.