This is the finest textbook I have used for any of my courses. The approach is logical and sequential with an emphasis on practical application.
Mary Aspedon, Southwestern Oklahoma State University
The three distinguishing strengths of this book are the content, the organization, and the summaries at the ends of chapters.
Dr. Cheryl Cummins, Delta State University
The text provides a firm foundation in assessment principles and also provides teachers with the tools that will support the development of high-quality assessments.
Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett, University of Georgia
This balanced, concise, and practical guide for testing and performance assessment is linked to effective classroom instruction and learning. , emphasizes that assessment is a broad term that includes testing and performance assessment, each used where it is most appropriate. Valid assessment is necessary for effective instruction with a goal of improved student learning. A portion of the text is devoted to preparing and using classroom tests and performance assessments, assigning grades and interpreting standardized test scores to students and parents. The material is presented in an accessible, direct, and brief format.
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Each chapter concludes with "Summary of Points" and "References and Additional Reading."
Preface.
1. Achievement Assessment and Instruction.
Relation between Instruction and Assessment.
Assessment in the Instructional Process.
Other Ways Assessment Can Aid Learning.
Teachers’ Standards for Student Assessment.
2. Nature of Student Assessment.
Major Types of Assessment Methods.
Guidelines for Effective Student Assessment.
Validity and Reliability in Assessment Planning.
Norm-Referenced and Criterion-Referenced Assessment.
3. Content Standards and Student Achievement.
Nature of Content Standards.
Examples of Content Standards.
Content Standards, Teaching and Assessment.
4. Planning for Assessment.
Using the Revised Taxonomy of Educational Objectives as a Guide.
Role of Instructional Objectives.
Preparing for Assessment.
Types of Assessment Procedures.
5. Preparing and Using Achievement Tests.
Preparing the Test Specifications.
Considerations in Constructing Relevant Test Items.
General Guidelines for Item Writing.
Arranging the Items in the Test.
Preparing Directions.
Administering and Scoring the Test.
Analyzing the Effectiveness of Test Items.
6. Writing Selection Items: Multiple Choice.
Nature of Multiple-Choice Items.
Rules for Writing Multiple-Choice Items.
7. Writing Selection Items: True-False, Matching, and Interpretive Exercise.
True-False Items.
Matching Items.
The Interpretive Exercise.
8. Writing Supply Items: Short Answer and Essay.
Short-Answer Items.
Essay Questions.
9. Performance Assessments.
Components of Performance Skills.
Stating Objectives for Performance Assessment.
Restricted and Extended Performance Tasks.
Steps in Preparing Performance Assessments.
Specifying the Performance Outcomes.
Selecting the Focus of the Assessment.
Selecting an Appropriate Degree of Realism.
Selecting the Performance Situation.
Making Performance Assessment More Authentic.
Selecting the Method of Observing, Recording, and Scoring.
Improving Performance Assessments.
10. Portfolio Assessment.
Advantages of Using Classroom Portfolios.
Planning for the Use of Portfolios.
Evaluating the Portfolio.
11. Grading and Reporting.
Selecting the Basis for Grading.
Combining Data for Grading.
Electronic Grading.
Guidelines for Effective and Fair Grading.
Reporting to Students and Parents.
12. Interpreting Standardized Achievement Test Scores.
Features of Standardized Achievement Tests.
Interpreting Norm-Referenced Scores.
Percentile Ranks.
Grade Equivalent Scores.
Standard Scores.
Criterion-Referenced Interpretation.
13. Validity and Reliability.
Validity.
Reliability.
Glossary.
Index.
Appendix.