Assessment – Page 10 – Embrace the Absurd

Those Crazy, Hazy, Lazy Days of Testing

Lived through those crazy, hazy, lazy days of testing Those days of W, Obama, and peers. Thrived on those crazy, hazy, lazy days of testing We thought state testing would always be here. [Fast forward through 20 years or so with carefree, upbeat verses] [End with one gloomier verse, maintain the upbeat tempo but aContinue reading “Those Crazy, Hazy, Lazy Days of Testing”

Why are Vertical Scales So Horizontal?

What images come to mind when you hear the word vertical? Is it the towering buildings that surround you when you attend a conference in New York City or Chicago? Is it your favorite ski run in Utah? Snowboarders soaring above the halfpipe a few months ago at the Olympics. Maybe that scene from TheContinue reading “Why are Vertical Scales So Horizontal?”

Matrix Sampling: Resurrected

It is impossible to read an article or hear a presentation about the future of large-scale state testing without some discussion of matrix sampling. If your primary concerns about large-scale testing are time and cost, the answer is matrix sampling. If your primary concern is coverage of comprehensive and complex standards like the Next GenerationContinue reading “Matrix Sampling: Resurrected”

Measuring Measures and Measurers

I have to confess that I fell down a rabbit hole while writing my blog post this week. My original plan was to comment on a Hechinger Report article published late last month, Standardized tests in their current format are ‘incredibly antiquated, with the gripping subtitle, ‘Some experts suggest using this moment to change theContinue reading “Measuring Measures and Measurers”

Throwing A Wrench Into State Testing

For more than two decades now it has sat here on the corner of my desk. A rusty, humbling reminder that some aspects of this thing that we call large-scale testing are simply beyond our ken. There are those times when we know we’ve done everything right, followed all the rules, operationalized best practices, andContinue reading “Throwing A Wrench Into State Testing”

DIY DEI

As I observe our field’s nascent do-it-yourself (DIY) attempts to embrace, understand, and enact the concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) what I have seen can best be described as akin to the enthusiasm and curiosity of a baby discovering its feet for the first time. And like the baby, I am sure thatContinue reading “DIY DEI”

Inventing State Assessment

Spoiler Alert: This post may reveal information about Inventing Anna that you don’t want to know yet. Content Warning: This post may reveal information about the Race to the Top Assessment Program that you have tried to forget. As I watched Inventing Anna, the Shonda Rhimes version of the Anna Delvey story, unfold before meContinue reading “Inventing State Assessment”

Based on a True Story

The truth of the matter (and that’s the only context in which I’ll use the word truth when discussing the reporting of test scores) is that those five words in the title would provide much better guidance on the interpretation and use of test scores than any of our attempts at technically based explanations ofContinue reading “Based on a True Story”

Second Thoughts

Eugenics. It’s the original sin of measurement and testing. Our Curse of Cain. Our Cross to Bear. Of all of the controversies included in Historical and Conceptual Foundations, eugenics may be the one most directly related to testing and the use of tests. It is also the controversy that receives the most direct attention inContinue reading “Second Thoughts”

The Man in the Mirror

You may fool the whole world Down the pathway of years And get pat on your back as you pass But your final reward Will be heartaches and tears If you’ve cheated that guy in the glass. I will say upfront that among my favorite memories from my years in large-scale testing are the conversationsContinue reading “The Man in the Mirror”