Achievement Testing Review

Achievement Testing

Overview

  • Achievement tests are designed to measure acquired knowledge and skills.

Types of Achievement Tests

  • Variety of achievement tests are available:

    • Survey Achievement Tests

    • Subject Area Tests

    • Criterion-Referenced Tests

    • Minimum Levels Skills Tests

    • Individual Achievement Tests

    • Diagnostic Tests

Survey Achievement Tests

  • Measure general achievement across various areas.

  • Used in school testing programs.

  • Typically include several subtests that measure objectives addressed in grades 1-12.

  • Often have different levels within the test.

  • Provide a broad picture of what a student has learned.

  • Are standardized, and subtests have minimal content overlap.

  • All subtests are normed on the same sampling group, allowing comparisons between tests.

Examples of Survey Achievement Tests

  • California Achievement Test:

    • Has 10 overlapping levels, spanning from kindergarten through grade 12.9.

    • Comprehensive tests of basic skills.

    • Ranges from 3 to 7 areas.

  • Iowa Test of Basic Skills:

    • Covers kindergarten through 9th grade.

Reliability and Validity of Achievement Tests

  • Major tests in this area generally have excellent reliability and validity.

  • Results are shown to be good predictors of future success to some extent.

Criterion-Referenced Tests

  • Measure specific objectives and skills.

  • Focus on mastery of a given skill.

  • Include numerous items to measure each skill.

  • Scored on an absolute standard, usually percentage correct.

  • Typically have a cut-off level for passing or demonstrating mastery.

  • Evaluate curriculum.

  • Provide topics for review.

  • Offer information for counseling.

  • Help in selecting courses.

  • Assess mastery of objectives.

  • Give evidence of student attainment.

Item Banks

  • Used to custom design achievement tests for specific objectives.

  • Disadvantages related to determining passing levels and questionable reliability/validity.

Minimum Level Skills Tests

  • Require mastery at a minimum level to advance to the next grade.

  • Criterion-referenced, using absolute standards.

  • Usually focus on math and English skills.

  • Often locally constructed based on school district guidelines and curriculum.

State Assessment Tests

  • Help school districts identify problem areas and evaluate their curriculum.

National Assessment of Educational Programs

  • A national program that assesses the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of individuals aged 9, 13, 17, 25, and 35.

  • Covers 10 subject areas.

  • Typically tests 2 subject groups each year.

Subject Area Tests

  • Provide a more reliable and valid measure of achievement in a specific area.

  • Allow comparison of student performance to national norms.

  • Not specific to a school but focused on national standards.

  • Licensing exams serve as subject area achievement tests.

Examples of Subject Area Tests

  • ACT

  • CLEP

Individual Achievement Tests

  • Assess a client’s achievement and cognitive processes.

  • Provide insights into attitudes and motivation.

  • Combines individual assessments with survey methods, mainly when a problem area exists.

Diagnostic Tests

  • Major purpose of achievement tests is to diagnose strengths and weaknesses.

  • Based on crucial skills and competencies needed for success in a given subject area.

  • Utilize numerous items to measure skills.

Examples of Diagnostic Tests

  • Woodcock Johnson, featuring 27 subtests covering cognitive ability, scholastic ability, and academic achievement.

Using Achievement Test Results

  • Instructional use to evaluate individual and group progress.

  • For selection and placement purposes.

  • To identify areas of strength and weakness.

Other Factors to Consider

  • Grade level

  • Number of years at current school

  • Age

  • Out of school experiences

  • Health and nutrition

  • Self-concept/ self –efficacy/self-efficiency

  • Socioeconomic status

  • School environment

  • Test content

  • Test administration

Analysis of Class Profile

  • Evaluate how members are achieving relative to their ability.

  • Assess class achievement in each subject area.

  • Identify students who need help.

  • Avoid over-interpreting results.

Trends and Issues

  • Authentic and performance assessments are replacing traditional norm-referenced testing that relies on multiple-choice questions.