ETS Assessment Ethics 2

Question 1

A test developer discovers that several items on a high-stakes exam inadvertently advantage native English speakers over non-native speakers on a math test. What is the most ethical course of action?

Accepted Answer

Flag and revise the items before administration to remove linguistic bias

Answer

Items that introduce construct-irrelevant variance (such as unnecessary linguistic complexity on a math test) must be revised before administration to ensure fairness.

Question 2

Under FERPA, which of the following individuals generally has the right to inspect a student's educational records without prior consent?

Accepted Answer

A school official with a legitimate educational interest

Answer

FERPA permits disclosure to school officials who have a legitimate educational interest without student consent, as defined in the school's annual notification.

Question 3

An educator shares a student's low test score with another student as a cautionary example, though the name is not stated but the student is identifiable. This action most directly violates which principle?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality of student data

Answer

Sharing identifiable student performance data without consent violates confidentiality, even when the name itself is not explicitly stated.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes 'washback' in assessment ethics?

Accepted Answer

The effect a test has on teaching and learning practices

Answer

Washback (or backwash) refers to the influence that a test has on curriculum, instruction, and learner behavior.

Question 5

A psychometrician finds that a licensure exam has adverse impact against a protected group despite the items being job-relevant. What is the most defensible ethical position?

Accepted Answer

Accept the results since items are job-relevant and investigate root causes

Answer

Job-relevance supports test validity, but documenting and investigating the sources of adverse impact remains an ethical obligation.

(ETS) Educational Testing Service Practice Test

(ETS) Educational Testing Service Practice Test

ETS Assessment Ethics 2