Mississippi Academic Assessment Program - Assignment Example

Interview: Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP)

State testing

How are student results reported for the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP)?

There are two types of scores used for reporting student results, and they include scale scores and raw scores.

What are the limitations of the raw score?

Test scores may vary in difficulty and content, and raw scores used across tests cannot give a direct comparison. Remember that forms within a given subject have been generated to be content equivalent.

Which type of scores between raw scores and scale scores is more advantageous?

Scale scores have numerous benefits over raw scores. Unlike raw scores, the scale scores can be compared from form to form and year to year. Besides, scale scores originate from mathematical conversion derived from statistical information concerning various items.

Is there any limitation of scale scores?

Yes, scale scores are incomparable across various subjects such as English II/English Language Arts and Algebra I/Mathematics.

How does a scale score work for a student?

A scale score is only provided if the learner achieves a legitimate raw score on the state test. In case a student does not attain a valid raw score, a code pops up in place of a scale score.

Is there anything you can emphasize test scores?

Of course, test scores should be utilized together with other related information concerning the performance of students in school because they are only one measure of achievement realized by the student.

What is it that experts need to reflect on when reviewing assessment data and academic progress of student?

The most fundamental aspect is the individual performance of the student within the classroom anchored in teacher observation.

What is the major aim of test scores?

Essentially, the test scores are used to establish the weaknesses and strengths of the learners and groups of learners on the MAAP tests.

I understand that test scores give useful information concerning the performance of the students that benefit them individually. How do the tests scores help Mississippi?

It is very simple; the test scores help in identifying existing achievement gaps in the performance of the student so that we can support all our students in a better way.

What is your take on test forms?

Test forms generally measure the same thing the same ways, meaning they cover similar content areas with similar emphasis, and they employ identical rules of administration like time limits and test direction. They are also projected for the same uses and purposes.

Student achievement

What was the intention of the designers of MAAP?

The MAAP designers intended to measure the achievement of students in US History, Science, Mathematics, and English Language Arts (ELA).

How is student performance level assigned and reported?

The level of performance is usually assigned to a learner taking any test of MAAP and finally reported in every Individual Student Report.

What is the role of State Board policy?

The State Board policy helps in establishing the common performance level descriptors (PLD)

What is required of a student to achieve PL5?

PL5 is the advanced level, and a student must show a consistent performance in a way apparently above that needed to be successful in course or grade in a given content area.

What are the requirements for a student to achieve PL4 or the proficient level?

A student needs to show an excellent mastery of skills and knowledge and solid academic performance required to attain success in course or grade in the content area.

When is a student regarded to be at PL3 or passing level?

Learners rated at the passing level show general mastery of skills and knowledge needed for success in the course or grade in a particular content area in school.

I am aware that learners at PL2 or basic level show partial mastery of skills and knowledge in the grade or course. What is the other trait that defines such students?

Basic level students may also experience challenges in the subsequent course or grade in a given content area.

Which is the least level that a student can achieve?

Students who attain PL1 or minimal level are known to inconsistently show the skills or knowledge that characterizes the basic performance level.

How important are the content-based PLDs?

The content-based PLDs link performance of the student on the tests to student expectation for learning as instituted in the standards.

Are the content-based PLDS connected in any way to the content of any specific test form?

No, they signify varying levels of curriculum mastery.

Data analysis

Based on the harmonized score data from a given sample of students, how fundamental are the MAAP scores?

The scores can help in accurately predicting whether a learner could be proficient or advanced depending on his or her MAAP scores.

What do you understand by the consistency rate of classification articulated in the form of a rating between 0 and 1?

It presents a means used to measure the point of departure from equity for concordances.

Where else can the index be used?

The index can as well be utilized as a pointer for the MAAP tests’ predictive validity.

When do we consider a classification consistent for every pair of the concordant scores?

Any time an examinee is categorized into a similar category of performance irrespective of the test employed in coming up with a decision.

How is the data used in proficiency projection useful?

The proficiency projection data shows how possible a student is categorized as "Pass" on MAAP tests based on the observable scores.

What is the general limitation of the informative concordance tables?

Although the tables give information concerning score comparability on diverse tests, they cannot be presumed to be compatible.

What is the role of data presented in a summary report?

The data in the table shows the total number of learners tested in every district, school or class, as well as the percentage of learners at every level of performance.

Is there anything else that can be captured by the summary report data?

Yes, the average percentage of learners at every level of performance.

How useful is the data from the demographic summary report?

The table shows the number of learners tested in every subgroup and the proportion of learners at every level of performance.

How can we display data of the standards’ list for the reported area of content?

We mostly use the summary report for standard analysis.

Reflection Summary

I have learned a lot from the interview I carried out with the test coordinator about MAAP, especially on state testing, student achievement and data analysis. The responsibilities of the test coordinators can be felt as far as the testing environment is concerned. The test coordinator works together with the faculty and administration of the school in initiating, comprehending and communicating schedules and protocols of assessment to create efficient responses to the needs of the students and the school. The test coordinators have required substantive managerial ability and skills to supervise the efficient execution of essential district and state assessments. Their role also revolves around the provision of adequate training to the staff members in utilizing formative assessments to engage and improve the learning of the student. The ethical testing practice can only be certified by the testing coordinator within the school building.

The testing coordinator breaks down the data and works with the faculty and administration of the school to better comprehend assessment data for effective generation of responses to the needs of the school and the students. He or she manages the certification and execution of the essential school and state testing. All the standardized testing for the learners are organized, supervised and executed by the test coordinators. Such tests may include maintenance of complete and accurate records, training of staff and administration of tests as per the conventional test calendar. They also provide instructional support staff and teachers with the necessary assistance in creating and utilizing the local assessments to ensure that instructions are aligned to the needs of the students.