Charlie DePascale

Bring back valid tests

Charlie DePascale Those of us of a certain age can recall when it was acceptable to talk about valid tests. One could make the claim that a test was valid; or more often as a precocious graduate student, question whether a test was valid. Some version of the phrase a test is valid to theContinue reading “Bring back valid tests”

Implausible Values

Equating in the early part of the 21st century Charlie DePascale Our field is facing a crisis brought on by implausible values. The values which threaten us, however, are not the assessment results questioned above. Those are only the byproduct of the values which our field and society have adopted with regard to K-12 large-scaleContinue reading “Implausible Values”

My 12 Memories of Christmas

As time goes by, certain memories of Christmases past become stronger than others. Most are filled with family, food, music, and fun; but a few other things manage to creep in as well. On Christmas 2017, here is a list of my 12 memories that mean Christmas to me. The First Noel My sister, 2Continue reading “My 12 Memories of Christmas”

The Physics of Psychometrics

Charlie DePascale A metaphysical tale of the past, present, and future relationship between psychometrics and educational assessment.

A cautionary tale

Charlie DePascale Earlier this month I traveled to Lawrence, Kansas to attend the NCME special conference on the confluence of classroom assessment and large-scale psychometrics. In a panel discussion titled, “I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore” Kristen Huff, Karen Barton, Paul Nichols, and I shared the perspective that when bringing together classroom assessmentContinue reading “A cautionary tale”

Remember the Alamo

Charlie DePascale This spring I returned to San Antonio to attend the 2017 NCME conference. The trip brought back memories of my many visits to the Harcourt office there as a member of the MCAS management team for the Massachusetts Department of Education. My last MCAS trip was in August 2002. Some things inContinue reading “Remember the Alamo”

If it’s Tuesday, this must be …

Charlie DePascale 12 days, 3 conferences: PowerPoint presentations, posters, uncomfortable chairs, and a few random thoughts. Conference presentations are an art form: whether it’s a keynote address, a 15-minute research presentation, an “electronic board” or a poster a good presentation must tell a story, make a point, and deliver a message. A picture canContinue reading “If it’s Tuesday, this must be …”

Bridging the Gaps

Charlie DePascale Apparently, it’s all about gaps. I have attended two research conferences so far this month; and at both conferences there was lots of discussion about lots of gaps. At the NEERO conference, the discussion focused on achievement and opportunity gaps. At the CEC convention, the gap between educational research and practice as wellContinue reading “Bridging the Gaps”

Do Your Job ™

Thinking again about the role of state assessment programs Charlie DePascale This week, most of the nation is focused on tournament brackets and one type of madness in March. Some of us, however, are also celebrating our own special version March Insanity. Over the next twelve weeks, millions of students across the country will participateContinue reading “Do Your Job ™”

Sealed with a K.I.S.S.

Charlie DePascale “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.” – Einstein In this post, I offer a Valentine’s Day gift in the form of three design principles to those states and their advisers still struggling with the design of school accountability systems to meet the requirements of ESSA. Three principles forContinue reading “Sealed with a K.I.S.S.”