Tugging on Superman's Cape

Session Type: Business Meeting

Abstract

Since publication of Messick’s (1989) influential view of validity as a unitary concept, understanding of that proposal and its application to validation practice have languished. Although at first only raised in the context of consequences, the required singular synthesis of evidence involving meaning and use is increasingly being recognized as the seminal problem (Borsboom & Wijsen, 2016; Russell, 2021).
This presentation begins with context that provides an overview of the origins and ramifications of the problem. Drawing on Cizek (2021), the remainder of the presentation will focus on an emerging consensus in assessment that comprises multiple components of defensible testing practice that involve sources of evidence about test score meaning and sources of evidence about justifiable uses of test scores.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Test Validity Research and Evaluation

Chair

• Michelle Boyer, Data Recognition Corporation

Speaker

• Gregory J. Cizek, Univ. of N. Carolina - Chapel Hill