The long-term goal of the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) and other federal and state early intervention and early childhood education initiatives is improved child and family outcomes. States play a critical role in supporting practitioners in the use of evidence-based practices to improve child and family outcomes. When practitioners…

In mastery testing, the raw agreement index and the kappa index may be estimated via one test administration when the test scores follow beta-binomial distributions. This paper reports formulae, tables, and a computer program which facilitate the computation of the standard errors of the estimates. (Author/CTM)

Procedures are described for studying the reliability of decisions based on specific passing scores with tests made up of discrete items and designed to measure continuous rather than categorical traits. These procedures are based on the estimation of the joint distribution of true scores and observed scores. (CTM)

Criteria for making decisions about eligibility and instruction assessment procedures are discussed. Key criteria for consideration include accuracy, efficiency, reliability and validity of eligibility criteria and methods. Factors in assessment strategies for instructional decisions include selection of general teaching methods, learning progress…

This guide is organized into five chapters; (1) an approach to testing--decisions made from test results, types of achievement tests, types and levels of objectives, and test validity, reliability, and practicality; (2) classroom test construction--planning, item banks, item writing, assembly, administration, and scoring; (3) test analysis-item…

This guide helps educators and policymakers in developing and implementing policies that involve the use of standardized tests as part of decision making that has high stakes consequences for students. The guide applies to standardized tests that are addressed in the "Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing" (Joint Standards, 1999).…