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Evaluation of the Voluntary National Tests Phase 1 (1999) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Pages 1-4

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From page 1...
... A major effort woulc3 be macle to communicate test results clearly to students, parents, anc3 teachers, anc3 all test items woulc3 be released on the Internet just after each test was aciministerec3. Congress recognized that a testing program of the scale anc3 magnitude of the VNT initiative raises many important technical questions anc3 requires quality control throughout development anc3 imply mentation.
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From page 2...
... TEST SPECIFICATIONS The VNT test specifications are appropriately based on NAEP frameworks anc3 specifications, but they are incomplete. The close correspondence with NAEP builds on NAEP efforts to achieve a consensus on important reacling anc3 mathematical knowledge anc3 skills anc3 maximizes the prospects for linking VNT scores to NAEP achievement levels.
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From page 3...
... We recommend that NAGB accelerate its plans and schedule for inclusion and accommoda tion of students with disabilities and limited English proficiency in order to increase both the participation of those student populations and to increase the comparability of VNT performance among student populations. REPORTING PLANS There are a number of potential issues in the reporting of test results to parents, students, anc3 teachers that shouic3 be resolved as soon as possible, including: the adequacy of VNT items for reporting in relation to the NAEP achievement- level descriptions; mechanisms for communicating uncertainty in the results; anc3 ways to accurately aggregate scores across student populations.
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Key Terms

  • test items
  • field test
  • accuracy targets
  • student populations
  • time pressures

  • vnt items
  • test difficulty
  • test plans
  • vnt test
  • significant time

  • reliable information
  • issues pertaining
  • control throughout
  • vnt initiative
  • specifications lack

  • specific test
  • decision rules
  • item survival
  • english proficiency
  • test construction

  • sufficiently tied
  • achievement levels
  • educational progress
  • nagb work
  • national tests

  • preliminary evidence
  • vnt scores
  • naep achievement
  • current test
  • contractor develop


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