Technical Issues

Technical Issues

Assessment and accountability systems must be technically sound to be useful in policymaking decisions that support school improvement. As skilled psychometricians, researchers, and evaluators, Center professionals provide expert advice on the validity, fairness, and reliability of those systems to ensure they operate as intended.

Recent Technical Issues Projects

Technical advisory committees

The Center coordinates TACs for 18 states and school districts, and serves on a total of 44 TACs. TACs provide expert and independent advice to help states design, implement, and evaluate their assessment and accountability systems.

Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing

Cara Laitusis and Laura Hamilton serve on the committee that is revising the AERA, APA and NCME volume known as the “bible” of educational testing. These standards serve as the touchstone for technical quality for almost all state and district tests.

Student Growth Percentile model

Damian Betebenner continues to refine the SGP, which is used as the growth model in more than 30 states. Dr. Betebenner and his colleagues have been using the SGP model in more than a dozen states to help state leaders understand COVID-19 impact and recovery rates.

Recent Technical Issues Blog Posts and Papers

Facing Federal Contract Cancellations Head-On 

The cancellation of federal research contracts cuts states’ and districts’ access to good data. These five ideas help them preserve and use the data they have.
March 5, 2025

Choosing a Growth Model: Far More Than Technical Factors

Nearly all states use a measure of student growth in their accountability systems. But how should they choose a model? Our new paper provides guidance.
February 26, 2025

How Should States Choose a Growth Model?

Nearly all states use a measure of student longitudinal growth in accountability. But how should states decide which growth model to use?
February 20, 2025

Comparability Isn’t All or Nothing 

Understanding comparability as a multifaceted problem—not a yes-or-no issue—can help states as they create innovative assessment systems.
February 5, 2025

Assessing 21st Century Competencies: Guiding Principles for States and Districts

Students need 21st century competencies to succeed in school, work and civic life. But assessing those competencies is challenging.
January 21, 2025

Delaware Department of Education Growth Model Investigation: A Report of the Growth Model Study Group

The Delaware Department of Education's growth model study group examined the state's growth model and whether it should be replaced.
December 12, 2024

Test Security: Expanding Our Ideas to Support Score Integrity

Test security has typically focused on preventing, detecting and acting on irregularities. But it should also support fairness and equity.
November 13, 2024

You Can Get the Accountability System You Want (Part 2)

States complain that ESSA bars them from getting the accountability systems they really want. We present three examples of systems that show otherwise.
March 13, 2024

Pandemic Impact and Recovery in Hawaii: A Descriptive Case Study

This study explores the effects of COVID-19 on academic growth and achievement in Hawaii schools, and strategies that school leaders […]
March 7, 2024

You Can Get the Accountability System You Want (Part 1)

States can have the school accountability systems they value by minimizing the footprint of the Every Student Succeeds Act.
November 15, 2023
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