54.065 - The Testing of Prospective Teachers: Alternative Approaches and Comparable Validity

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Increasingly, federal and state governments are permitting or requiring the possibility of alternative national assessments in lieu of statewide tests, particularly for K-12 students. The model of alternative testing is also being adopted in educational spheres such as teacher certification. One state had long used a state-developed basic skills test in its teacher certification. The state legislature required that the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) could be used as a substitute. The present symposium presents analysis from studies that evaluated the GRE as a substitute test for teacher certification. Presentations will focus on content alignment methods used to determine that there is comparable validity, passing score methods used to develop an appropriate cut score, the generally positive results, and consequential concerns.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Large-Scale Assessment

Cosponsor

• SIG-Large-Scale Assessment

Chair

• Carina McCormick, Buros Center For Testing

Papers

• The Comparable Validity of the Content of Two High-Stakes Teacher Tests - Kurt F. Geisinger, University of Nebraska

• Cut Score Estimation and Verification Across Measurements - Chin Tzu-Yun, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

• Adapting Concordance Cut Scores for Educator Licensure Assessments: Policy Considerations - Suleyman Olgar, Florida Department of Education

Discussant

• Wayne J. Camara, ACT, Inc.