Rasch Scaling of Standards-Based Grades as a Summative Measure of Student Achievement (Poster 7)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 7
  In Poster Session: Assessment and Student Achievement in Schools (San Diego)

Abstract

This study addressed difficulties involved in using standards-based progress reports for purposes requiring quantitative measures. Standards-based grading practices result in the reporting of ordinal data that does not support the creation of averages or the use of many other statistical processes. Rasch models were created using standards-based report card data to generate numeric scores. Standard tests for model fit were conducted. The Rasch scores were then compared to student assessment results. The results showed both statistically and practically significant correlations between the Rasch scores and students’ assessment results. The study suggests that it is feasible to generate usable numeric scores from standards-based grades. There was variation in correlations at the teacher and school level suggesting the need for further research.

Authors

• Michael Barnes, Columbus City Schools

• Belinda Gimbert, The Ohio State University