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Improving Mathematics Education Resources for Decision Making (2001) / Chapter Skim
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5 How Do We Know That What We Are Doing Is Working?
Pages 30-34

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From page 30...
... Understanding how assessment operates, however, requires considering the entire range of assessments formative classroom assessment, classroom tests, state and local tests, college entrance and placement practices, tests for teacher certification and the context in which each of these is used. The interpretation and application of specific assessment tools is of critical concern for educators, and for researchers as well as for families and the community.
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From page 31...
... 13) High Stakes considers what constitutes appropriate use of tests in making teaching, promotion, and graduation decisions affecting individual students and emphasizes three criteria for judging the appropriateness of a particular test (p.
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From page 32...
... 2764. In addition, the report helps to frame the dilemmas that arise from asking the same test to serve multiple functions and identifies seven distinct purposes of student assessment as a policy instrument (pp.
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From page 33...
... No single source of information—whether test scores, course grades, or teacher judgments should stand alone in making promotion decisions. Test scores should always be used in combination with other sources of information about student achievement." (p.
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From page 34...
... . ACTIONS EDUCATORS MIGHT CONSIDER Based on the discussions, findings, and recommendations in High Stakes, educators and policymakers concerned with making critical decisions about tracking, promotion, and graduation might Examine all assessment policies and procedures currently in place to ensure that the spirit of fair and appropriate uses of student assessments permeates practice.
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Key Terms

  • test scores
  • student assessment
  • test score
  • student assessments
  • promotion decisions

  • student achievement
  • assess student
  • student performance
  • regarding student
  • student learning

  • educational decision
  • bad decision
  • permeates practice
  • assessments permeates
  • course grades

  • hold schools
  • unintended negative
  • remedy includes
  • low expectations
  • critical concern

  • local tests
  • assessment policies
  • policy instrument
  • assessing mathematical
  • classroom assessment

  • tests themselves
  • adequately assess
  • school diploma
  • technical capacity
  • graduation decisions


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