Question: Frequent testing has become an integral part of every child's education as more and more attention is focused on finding out exactly how much students have learned and what they need to learn in school. We hear teachers talking about testing, read articles about it, and receive reports on our children's scores. Can you define some of the important terminology? - Want to Know
Answer: It is very helpful to know exactly what some of the unfamiliar terminology used in testing means. The following explanations should help you understand more about testing and the tests your children are taking.
- "Accountability" refers to holding schools, school personnel and states responsible for how successfully students perform on standardized tests. Rewards and penalties might be assessed based on the performance of the students.
- Achievement tests measure the knowledge and skills students have acquired in such areas as reading, math, spelling, science and social studies.
- Aptitude tests are used to predict a student's ability to do something. IQ tests are aptitude tests.
- Competency tests set a certain standard that students must reach. They are frequently used to determine if students will be promoted to the next grade or receive a high-school diploma. Competency tests to meet high-school graduation standards can often be taken as early as a student's freshman year.
- Criterion-referenced tests compare a student's performance with specific standards of acceptable performance. Competency tests are criterion-referenced tests.
- High-stakes tests are just like the name implies: A lot rests on the scores received on these tests. They can determine whether or not students will be promoted or retained, or graduate from high school. They also determine if schools will receive rewards or penalties based upon the scores of their students.
- Norm-referenced tests compare how well a student performs compared with a preselected (norm) group of students who took the same test. Typically they are standardized tests.
- Percentile rank or score is used to report how well students do on norm-referenced tests compared with students in a norm group. For example, a student who scores in the 56 percentile has a score higher than 56 percent of the students in the norm group.
- "Rubric" is a standard set by teachers telling students what they need to accomplish to get a specific score or grade.
- Standardized tests are administered and scored in exactly the same way for all students.
- "Standards" are statements setting out what students should know and be able to do in certain subject areas at specific grade levels. Standards are set by school districts and states.
While these terms are some of the ones that you are most likely to come across, there might be other testing terms that puzzle you. The leaflets accompanying reports on test scores usually have explanations of the terms used in the reports. Also, do not hesitate to ask your children's teachers or counselors for an explanation of a term. If you want even more information, you can write to the test publisher.