Standardized Assessments

Standardized Tests

Constructed Response Items

1.  Short Answer

2.  Essay

Positives

*Students create responses

*Teachers can more easily determine student mastery

Negatives

*Tougher for test-takers

*Longer for teachers to score

*Subjective

Short Answer Items

Positives

*Students generate a response

*Time-efficient

*Students can answer quickly

*Teachers can score easily

Negatives

*Students memorize answers

*Students are likely unmotivated cognitively to take these types of tests

*Easier to score but more difficult than selected response

Performance Assessment

Tasks on this test resemble real-life tasks.  Example:  Tasks may include: 1. writing a penpal  2. building a house  3. shopping at a grocery store

Portfolio Assessment

Teachers collect and evaluate students work over a period of time.  The purpose for portfolia assessments is so that teachers can see what students achieve and how they progress over the course of the entire school year.

Selected Response Items

1. Binary True/False - Students have a 50/50 chance at getting the answer correct by deciding whether a statement is true or false.

2. Multiple Choice - Students also have a better chance at getting the correct answer.  The chance could be 25%, 33%, or 50% and it depends on how many answer choices are provided.

3. Matching Items - Students can match words or concepts with the correct letter next to the definition.

Positives:  Tests are able to cover a wide range of content

Negatives:  Tests promote memorization of information and students can easily make guesses on choices