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Evaluation of the Voluntary National Tests, Year 2 Interim Report (1999) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction and History
Pages 7-14

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From page 7...
... · The tests woulc3 be ciesignec3 to facilitate linkage with the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) anc3 the reporting of incliviclual test performance in terms of the NAEP achievement' levels: basic, proficient, anc3 acivancec3.
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From page 8...
... . The original schedule called for development of test specifications for 4th-gracie reacling anc3 8th-gracle mathematics tests by fall 1997; pilot testing of test items later that year; field testing of test forms early in 1998; anc3 the first test administration in spring 1999.
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From page 9...
... (3) The Governing Board is required to report on its response to the National Research Council report ~ l999b)
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From page 10...
... The report expressed concern that the item development anc3 review process was overly compressed, anc3 it offered suggestions for rearranging the review schec3ule that were subsequently acloptec3 by NAGB. The interim report also suggested the need to match VNT items to the descriptions of the NAEP achievement levels that would be used in reporting results.
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From page 11...
... NAGB was urged to accelerate its plans anc3 schedule for inclusion anc3 accommonition of students with disabilities anc3 limited English proficiency to increase both the participation of those student populations anc3 to increase the comparability of VNT performance among student populations. Reporting Plans There were a number of potential issues in the reporting of test results to parents, students, anc3 teachers that the NRC recommenciec3 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 students.
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From page 12...
... · Are the plans for assembling forms likely to yield highly parallel forms with adequate accuracy in classifying students results by achievement level? · Are revised designs for field testing anc3 equating new forms anc3 linking scores to NAEP achievement levels technically sound?
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From page 13...
... The workshop was held in closed session because of the need to review secure test items. Results of this review constitute a major component of this interim report anc3 are presented in Section 2.
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From page 14...
... Report Purpose and Organization This VNT year 2 evaluation interim report examines the quality of the VNT items clevelopec3 to ciate anc3 reviews plans for piloting anc3 screening these items. Attention is given to the extent to which current item development, piloting, anc3 forms assembly procedures are likely to support the inclusion anc3 meaningful reporting of results for students with disabilities anc3 for English-language learners.
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Key Terms

  • test items
  • achievement levels
  • item development
  • pilot testing
  • field testing

  • naep achievement
  • pilot test
  • vnt items
  • test specifications
  • field test

  • accuracy targets
  • national tests
  • gender bias
  • developed test
  • national assessment

  • work plan
  • forms assembly
  • mathematics tests
  • test design
  • test difficulty

  • vnt test
  • test administration
  • cognitive laboratory
  • test forms
  • school districts

  • form assembly
  • schedule called
  • regarding student
  • laboratory materials
  • classifying students


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