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TESL Research Guide

Assignment

Formal Test Evaluation (20 points)  

Identify and evaluate a formal assessment commonly used with emergent bilingual students in your district or widely used in your state.

 

Conduct research using test critique reference tools (Buros  Mental Measurement Yearbook, Tests in Print, etc.) to learn about the item selection, norming, and standardization process to determine the appropriateness of the measure for emergent bilinguals.  You may review a test in  English or Spanish.  

 

This assignment will include 4 main components: 

  • A summary of the test –the format, the subject/ skills it assesses, the age/ grade level/ learning   profile of students (e.g., all students, ELLs, students with special needs, etc.) 
  • A synthesis of the results of 2-3 test reviews (**bulk of the assignment**) 
  • Your opinion of the test (e.g., your experience with students, your opinion on the types of questions, length of test, accessibility, etc.) (Consider using a checklist such as Gottlieb Appendix 2.3 to guide you.) 
  • Conclusion: Based on the test reviews and your observations, 1. Would you recommend this test be used in any capacity?  2. If so, in what capacity would you recommend educators use the assessment results? If not, what could be an alternative assessment? 

TESL 551: Formal Test Evaluation Rubric

Criteria

Possible points

Points earned

Test summary
A brief summary of the test – the format, the subject/ skills it assesses, the age/ grade level/ learning profile of students (e.g. all students, ELLs, students with special needs, etc.).

4

Synthesis of test
A synthesis of the results of 2-3 test reviews. Review the main outcomes of each test review, noting similarities and discrepancies between the reviews where relevant. 

                                                       OR   

A synthesis of several journal articles where the effectiveness of a test / assessment has been studied in an educational setting.  Note similarities and differences between how the two journal articles describe how the test / assessment has been studied and implemented in an educational setting.  What were the outcomes of the study?

         8

Student evaluation of test
An evaluation of the test is given, incorporating experiences using it with students (if available), opinions on the types of questions, length of test, accessibility, etc.

4

Conclusion:  Student recommendations

Based on the synthesis of tests and observations, the following questions are answered: 1. Would you recommend this test be used in any capacity and 2. If so, in what capacity would you recommend educators use the results of the assessment? If not, what could be an alternative assessment?


 

4

Total  (All sources must be referenced correctly)

20

Electronic Resources & Technology Librarian, Liaison to School of Education - Associate Professor

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Kieran Ayton
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Subjects: Education
Subjects: Education