Overview

Testing and assessment are essential tools in educational psychology used to evaluate learning, inform instruction, and guide educational decisions. Assessments can be formal or informal, norm-referenced or criterion-referenced, and are judged by their reliability, validity, and fairness. Educators must be skilled in interpreting assessment data and using it ethically and effectively.

Key Themes and Concepts

• Formative vs. Summative Assessment: Formative is ongoing and used to guide instruction; summative evaluates learning at the end of a unit or course.
• Norm-Referenced vs. Criterion-Referenced: Norm-referenced compares students to a peer group; criterion-referenced measures against set standards.
• Reliability: The consistency of a test over time or across scorers; high reliability means stable results.
• Validity: The extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure.
• Bias and Fairness: Tests must avoid cultural or linguistic bias; fairness includes equal access and appropriate accommodations.
• High-Stakes Testing: Standardized tests used for decisions like graduation or funding; controversial due to pressure and impact.
• Assessment Interpretation: Understanding descriptive statistics, scaled scores, and test limitations is key to proper use.
• Use and Misuse: Overreliance on test scores can lead to mislabeling or instructional narrowing.

Quick Tip

Validity and reliability are the cornerstones of effective assessment. A valid test accurately measures what it intends to measure, while a reliable test yields consistent results across time and situations. Teachers should use multiple forms of assessment — both formative and summative — to get a complete picture of student learning. Interpreting scores in context and considering individual student needs are critical for fair and meaningful evaluation.