DESE Educational Assessment & Student Evaluation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A teacher notices that a student scores very differently on classroom tests versus standardized tests. Which concept best explains this discrepancy?
- Construct irrelevant variance (Correct answer)
- Measurement invariance
- Predictive validity
- Criterion contamination
Correct answer: Construct irrelevant variance
Construct irrelevant variance refers to factors outside the intended construct that affect test scores, such as test-taking anxiety or familiarity with test format.
Question 2: Which type of assessment is MOST appropriate for measuring a student's ability to apply knowledge to real-world problems?
- Selected-response assessment
- Performance-based assessment (Correct answer)
- Norm-referenced assessment
- Aptitude assessment
Correct answer: Performance-based assessment
Performance-based assessments require students to demonstrate skills or apply knowledge in authentic contexts, making them ideal for measuring real-world application.
Question 3: When a school uses assessment data to identify students who may need Tier 2 interventions, this is an example of:
- Summative screening
- Universal screening (Correct answer)
- Diagnostic testing
- Benchmark assessment
Correct answer: Universal screening
Universal screening involves assessing all students to identify those at risk and determine who may need additional instructional support beyond Tier 1.
Question 4: A rubric that describes performance in holistic terms with a single overall score is called a:
- Analytic rubric
- Holistic rubric (Correct answer)
- Single-point rubric
- Developmental rubric
Correct answer: Holistic rubric
A holistic rubric evaluates a student's overall performance with a single score based on a general impression rather than scoring separate criteria.
Question 5: Which statistical measure indicates how much individual scores in a distribution vary from the mean?
- Median
- Mode
- Standard deviation (Correct answer)
- Percentile rank
Correct answer: Standard deviation
Standard deviation measures the spread or variability of scores around the mean, indicating how much individual scores deviate from the average.
Question 6: A student's IEP specifies modified assessment accommodations. Which accommodation would be considered a modification rather than an accommodation?
- Extended time on tests
- Use of a calculator on math computation sections
- Reducing the number of answer choices from four to two (Correct answer)
- Allowing oral responses instead of written ones
Correct answer: Reducing the number of answer choices from four to two
Reducing the number of answer choices changes the construct being measured and lowers the difficulty level, making it a modification rather than an accommodation.
Question 7: In the context of DESE assessments, what does 'disaggregated data' primarily help educators do?
- Calculate overall school averages more efficiently
- Identify achievement gaps among specific student subgroups (Correct answer)
- Reduce the total number of assessments administered
- Determine which teachers need professional development
Correct answer: Identify achievement gaps among specific student subgroups
Disaggregated data breaks down overall results by subgroups (race, ELL status, disability, etc.) to reveal performance disparities and achievement gaps.
DESE Educational Assessment & Student Evaluation 2
A teacher notices that a student scores very differently on classroom tests versus standardized tests.
Which concept best explains this discrepancy?