Using Student Test Scores to Evaluate Teachers: One State's Value-Added Model on Trial

• In Event: 43.077 - MTCC Roundtable Session 15
  In Roundtable Session: 43.077-6 - Teacher Effectiveness and Teacher Accountability

Abstract

Researchers reviewed documents from the highest profile of the 15 teacher evaluation lawsuits ongoing in the U.S. In New Mexico, teacher plaintiffs are contesting how they are being evaluated using a value-added model (VAM) using their students’ test scores. Researchers examined court documents using five key measurement concepts (i.e., reliability, validity, bias, fairness, transparency) defined by the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. Researchers found evidence of concern across measurement areas within both the court documents and statistical analyses that researchers conducted on the first three measurement concepts (i.e., reliability, validity, and bias). Findings and discussion should help others nationally and to better understand the measurement and pragmatic issues at play, within but also across other similar cases.

Authors

• Audrey Amrein-Beardsley, Arizona State University

• Tray Geiger, Arizona State University