SCHOOL FOR THOUGHT

Testing for dummies

Today’s posting is for people who take test results at face value. I have three sites for you to visit.

The first link is just for fluff - it’s a true story about a silly test item on the New York state English exam for grade 8 students. Its contribution is to call into question the merit of testing in general. I mean really. Why did the animals eat the pineapple? You’ve got to be kidding!

The second link provides sample questions for the PISA test. A brief look at these questions will disabuse anyone of the idea that success on the PISA indicates high scholastic achievement. Rather, PISA is looking at parental support systems as much as anything.

The last link provides sample questions for the TIMSS test. Finally, here’s a test of the value added by schools. And, by the way, the latest round of TIMSS results is due out this fall. 

Test results must be interpreted carefully. Otherwise, it’s like believing that 42 is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything.