Key points:
Assessment discussions are examining how AI like ChatGPT might play a role
Individualized assessment offers a fair and equitable option to meet varying students’ needs
See related article: Strategies for using alternative assessments in the classroom
The National Council on Measurement in Education’s (NCME) annual meeting has always offered an opportunity to learn about innovative research and new trends in student assessment. It is a chance to get hints of where the field is moving and what will be available to school districts, teachers, and students.
This year did not disappoint. There were three notable topics at the conference that signal new directions in assessment: through-year assessment, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and individualized assessment.
1. Through-Year Assessment
Through-year assessment is a type of assessment that has several different versions. In general, through-year assessment refers to testing that takes place throughout the school year to provide feedback on student progress and ultimately make a proficiency determination. At least three different sessions at NCME’s annual meeting dealt with through-year, and each one focused on a different version of it.
In one version, through-year assessment blends interim and summative assessment together. The interim assessment is given in the fall and winter, while the summative test is given in the spring, to make a proficiency determination. A second version of through-year makes proficiency determinations for specific curriculum standards as they are taught. Another version of through-year assessment is somewhat a blend of the prior two. It uses an interim assessment during the school year, but test content is cumulative, and the proficiency determination is made in the spring.
Author Recent PostsJ. Patrick Meyer, PhD, Vice President, Psychometric Solutions, NWEAJ. Patrick Meyer, PhD is Vice President, Psychometric Solutions at NWEA, where he manages the team of psychometricians, statistical analysts, and project managers involved in the district division of NWEA. This team conducts psychometric research for assessments such as MAP Growth and MAP Reading Fluency. His research interests include IRT, psychometric software design, and the psychometric characteristics of teaching measures. He has been attending NCME’s annual meeting for over 20 years. Latest posts by eSchool Media Contributors (see all)
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