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

2011 Reidy Interactive Lecture Series

Using Multiple Measures to Enhance Validity and Reliability September 22nd – 23rd Multiple Measures, Multiple UsesMultiple Measures, Multiple Uses PresentationMultiple […]
September 23, 2011

Approaches and Considerations for Incorporating Student Performance Results From Non-Tested Grades and Subjects Into Educator Effectiveness Determinations

This paper provides a comprehensive framework and discussion of the challenges of validly assessing student performance in non-tested subjects and […]
September 7, 2011

Some Thoughts About Comparability Issues With “Common” and Uncommon Assessments

This document helps to reveal and clarify for policymakers many of the issues involved in comparing the performance of students, […]
March 25, 2011

2010 Reidy Interactive Lecture Series

Expanding Conceptions of Psychometrics to Evaluate the Technical Quality of Next Generation Balanced Assessment Systems October 21st-22nd Agenda Session I […]
October 22, 2010

Wyoming’s Testing Irregularities: Final Report

This paper is the final report of the work commissioned by the Wyoming Department of Education examining the likely impact […]
August 27, 2010

Using Growth Data to Improve Learning, Teaching, and School Functioning

This presentation reviews four key lessons learned about growth to date and discusses three key areas that will make growth […]
June 23, 2010

Growth, Standards and Accountability

Over the last decade, large-scale annual testing has provided states with unprecedented access to longitudinal student data. Current use of […]
April 6, 2009

Definitions of Proficiency and Best Practices for Writing Performance Level Descriptors

This presentation focuses on how the definition of “proficient” varies across states. It illustrates how the definitions can lead to […]
February 4, 2009

2008 Reidy Interactive Lecture Series

Validating Assessment and Accountability Programs September 25th-26th Agenda Session I Vicissitudes of the ValidatorsHenry Braun, Boston College Session II Moderated […]
September 26, 2008

TAC Requirements for Standard-Setting Plans and Reports Submitted for K-12 Assessments

This document outlines required elements for a standard-setting plan and technical manual and provides a suggested outline for vendors to […]
August 15, 2008
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