The present paper questions the content validity of the eight creativity-related self-report scales available in PISA 2022's context questionnaire and provides a set of considerations for researchers interested in using these indexes. Specifically, we point out some threats to the content validity of these scales (e.g., "creative thinking…

This study aimed to explore the relationship between students' understanding of the National Matriculation English Test (NMET) and their learning practices through standard multiple regression (SMR) and structural equation modeling (SEM) with the purpose of unraveling the working mechanism of washback. A total number of 3105 Chinese senior high…

Scoring high-dimensional assessments (e.g., > 15 traits) can be a challenging task. This paper introduces the multilabel neural network (MNN) as a scoring method for high-dimensional assessments. Additionally, it demonstrates how MNN can score the same test responses to maximize different performance metrics, such as accuracy, recall, or…

Background: Tests are commonly and heavily used in fundamental engineering courses (FECs) to assess student learning of concepts. With existing literature presenting mixed benefits and disadvantages of testing to students' motivation to learn and documenting widely alternative assessments, the lack of questioning of heavy and common test usage…

Core Maths qualifications were introduced into the post-16 curriculum in England in 2014 to help students develop their quantitative and problem-solving skills. Taking the qualification should also give students confidence in understanding the mathematical content in other courses taken at the same time. In this article, we explore whether Core…

To date, language testing research has devoted little attention to adult L2 learners with low levels of alphabetic print literacy (LESLLA), even though this population makes up for a substantial proportion of the candidature of language tests used for migration purposes. This special issue focuses on LESLLA learners, shows how literacy impacts…

Accompanying the still pervasive influence of the College English Test (CET), some universities in China, especially the higher-ranking ones, have in recent years devised and implemented their own local English testing regimes. This significant shift, however, has captured limited research attention. Building on considerations in local language…

As evidence-based interventions are scaled, fidelity of implementation, and thus effectiveness, often wanes. Validated fidelity measures can improve researchers' ability to attribute outcomes to the intervention and help practitioners feel more confident in implementing the intervention as intended. We aim to provide a model for the validation of…

Using the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009, the association between high school exit exams and mathematics course-taking patterns is explored. Exit exams are linked to a decreased likelihood of students taking upward-bound mathematics during their four years of high school. Exit exams are also associated with fewer mathematics credits…

In this article, the authors suggest a number of ways in which NAPLAN could be made into a more engaging and enriching experience for both teachers and students. They highlight the importance of making productive errors in the interests of furthering learning. The authors share the journey they have taken as they attempted to get their teeth into…

This paper describes the development and use of a tool designed to support educators to use a broad range of professional knowledge to enable inclusive literacy teaching that delivers social justice and narrows the attainment gap associated with poverty. The tool encourages teachers to formally recognise and act on a wide range of evidence about…

Rating scale development in the field of language assessment is often considered in dichotomous ways: It is assumed to be guided either by expert intuition or by drawing on performance data. Even though quite a few authors have argued that rating scale development is rarely so easily classifiable, this dyadic view has dominated language testing…

Quizzing can be beneficial as a tool for learning and practice instead of its traditional use as an assessment. Specifically, the use of low stakes quizzing (LSQ) can aid in: (1) retention; (2) subsequent learning; (3) corrective feedback; (4) improved metacognition; and (5) study habits. Best practices for utilizing quizzes are discussed,…

The paper focuses on findings from research that investigated teachers' and key stakeholders' perspectives on the use of Reception Baseline Assessment. Data collection was carried out in 2021-2022, which was the year this assessment was introduced into Reception classes in England. In total, 70 teachers and key stakeholders from 47 Local…

The Social Shapes Test (SST) is a measure of social intelligence which does not use human faces or rely on extensive verbal ability. The SST has shown promising validity among adults without autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but it is uncertain whether it is suitable for adults with ASD. We find measurement invariance between adults with (n = 229)…