Validating Local Assessments

• In Event: Roundtable Session 4

Session Submission Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract

Several states have allowed that local school districts create their own assessment systems, and use them in place of the state-developed test. These local assessment systems often have been tied to high-stakes decisions such as student graduation determinations. This session will highlight the challenges and considerations of implementing and evaluating the technical quality of local assessment systems to supplement or supplant state systems. Presenters will relate direct experiences from states that have or are currently wrestling with evaluating the technical quality of local assessment systems. After reviewing the features of the approaches used in different states, commentators will highlight the cross-cutting issues and put forth a validity argument-based framework for conducting such technical quality evaluations.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Test Validity Research and Evaluation

Chair

• Marianne Perie, Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation

Papers

• State Supported Local Assessment Systems: Serving Multiple Coherent Purposes - Scott F. Marion, National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment, Inc.

• New Pathways to Graduation in Pennsylvania - Richard F. Maraschiello, Pennsylvania Department of Education

• Using Validity Arguments to Evaluate the Technical Quality of Local Assessment Systems - Chad M. Gotch, Washington State University; Marianne Perie, Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation