Classroom Assessment in Action

Classroom Assessment in Action clarifies the multi-faceted roles of measurement and assessment and their applications in a classroom setting. Comprehensive in scope, Shermis and Di Vesta explain basic measurement concepts and show students how to interpret the results of standardized tests. From these basic concepts, the authors then provide clear and ordered discussions of how assessment and instruction is integrated into a functional process to enhance student learning. Guidelines are set forth for constructing various common assessments. Procedures are laid out to evaluate and improve assessments once they are constructed. Ultimately, the authors shed light on the myriad of factors that impact test score interpretation.

In today's classroom, technology has become a constant companion, andClassroom Assessment in Action exposes teacher candidates to emerging technologies they might encounter in building their repertoire of assessments, whether it be automated essay scoring or electronic portfolios.

Classroom Assessment in Action guides its readers to a complete and thorough understanding of assessment and measurement so that they can confidently work with students and parents in explaining results, whether they are from a high-stakes statewide assessment or the grading philosophy to which they ascribe.

Mark D. Shermis is professor of education and dean at the University of Akron.
Francis J. Di Vesta is professor emeritus at Pennsylvania State University.

Preface
Acknowledgments
A Note to the Reader: Theory to Practice

Chapter 1: Orientation to Assessment
A Definition to Assessment
The Components of Assessment
Who Uses Classroom Assessment and Why?
Policy Makers Use of Assessment: The No Child Left Behind Act
How You Will Incorporate Assessment in Instruction
Your Knowledge about Assessment
The Consequences of Poor Assessment Practices
Contemporary Classroom Assessment
Summary

Chapter 2 Planning Assessments
Scores and Their Interpretation
Criterion-Referenced Assessments
Norm-Referenced Assessments
Making Plans for Assessment
Creating Blueprints for Specific Assessments
Test Blueprints
Assessment Modalities and the Role of Observation
Summary


Chapter 3: Observation: Bases of Assessment
Making Observations
Direct Observation
Teachers as Observers
Components and Purposes of Observation
Making Observations
Summary


Chapter 4: Formative Assessment: Using Assessment for Improving Instruction
Distinctions between Summative and Formative Assessment
Formal and Informal Formative Assessment
Interpretation of Feedback in Formative Assessment
Using Assessments as Evidence of Progress
The Dynamics of Formative Assessment
Feedback
Asking the Right Questions in Assessment
Implementing Formative Assessment
Designing Appropriate Formative Tests
Summary


Chapter 5: Performance Assessment
Definitions
Performance Assessments
Behavioral Objectives Redux
Creating Rubrics
Advantages of Using Rubrics
Improving Consistency of Ratings
Portfolio Assessment
Summary


Chapter 6: Developing Objective Tests
Considerations in Choosing a Test Format
True-False Tests
Multiple-Choice
Matching Tests
The Challenge in Assessing Higher-Order Thinking
Summary


Chapter 7: Developing Subjective Tests
Constructed Responses Tests
Short Answer Questions
Essay Questions
Evaluating Essays
Summary


Chapter 8: Selecting Standardized Tests
Objectives
Principles for Selecting Standardized Tests
Sources to Guide Selection of Standardized Tests
Buros Mental Measurements Yearbook and Tests in Print
The ETS Test Collection
ERIC
Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing
Standardized Tests and Classroom Assessments
Summary


Chapter 9: Technology in Assessment
Technological Formats for Instruction: Emergence of Formative Assessment
Technology and Assessment

Some Available Testing Software
Measurement and Reports of Problem Solving
Technology-Based Science Assessment Environments (Quellmalz& Haertel, 2000)
Expansion of Computer-Based Assessment Technology
Observations
Summary
Appendix: Resource List of Websites Pertaining to Assessment

Chapter 10: Improving Tests
The Context of Test Improvement
Item Improvement
Testing for Mastery
Keep an Item Bank or Item Pool: Putting It All Together
Some General Guidelines for Improving Test Items
Summary

Chapter 11: Domain Specific Assessment and Learning
Perspectives on Subject-Matter Instruction and Assessment
Constructivism in Assessment
Assessment at Instructional Phases
Constructing and Using Questionnaires to Measure Dispositions, Metacognitions, and Affect
Summary
Helpful Readings

Chapter 12: Grading
On the Nature of Learning in Public Schools
Technology Applied to Grading
Reporting Grades: The Report Card
Beyond Grades
Summary

Chapter 13: Supplementary Assessment of Individual Differences
A Classroom Model Underlying Assessment
Using Measures of Individual Differences
Categories of Individual Differences
Culture as a Source of Individual Differences
Measuring by Use of Self-Reports: Assessment of Affect and Learner Motivations
Graphic Organizers of Achievement of Course Content
Assessment Based on Multiple Intelligence
Self-Reports of Preferences: Assessment of Learning Styles
Responses to Intervention (RTI) A System for Instruction-Based Assessment
Dynamic Assessment: Measuring Change and Potential for Learning
Integrating Assessments: The Case Study
Summary

Chapter 14: High-Stakes Testing: Policy and Accountability
An Overview
Policy and Accountability
Assessment for Educational Policy and Accountability: The National Assessment of Educational Progress
Assessment in Policy for Accountability: The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Legislation
Summary

Chapter 15: Assessment and "Best Practices"
Purposes Served by Best Practices Studies
Teacher Preparation for Assessment Practices
Benchmarking as a Component of Best Practice Studies
Best Practices Research
Best Practices for Educational Improvement
Using Best Practices in Teacher Education

Chapter 16: Test Bias, Fairness, and Testing Accommodations
Obtained Scores, True Scores, and Error
Student Characteristics and Normative Comparisons
Bias in the Construction of Assessments
Bias through Question Formats
Bias in the Administration of Assessments
Fairness
Testing Accommodations
Summary