Chapter 9 Assessment

While the means of standardized assessment has changed a little, now there is Computer Adaptive Testing and many of the tests which were before online offered on paper, are now offered online, I can’t say that it has changed for the better. CAT testing is extremely difficult in that each question must be answered before moving on to the next so there is no skipping and coming back to a question. Also, you can solve problems on the test booklet anymore, you must have a separate sheet of scrap paper to work out what appears on the screen. Essays are typed instead of written. While the test does give interactive instructions on how to use the computer, for those will little exposure or familiarity this test must be that much more intimidating. Not to mention the fact that many colleges and universities are deciding that standardized test scores are not that important any more, some are even abolishing them entirely. Rubrics, portfolios and web-based assessments are what teachers are turning to in their classrooms today as new or alternative means of assessment. All three of these assessment methods are tools in helping the next generation of students to do better on the Computer Adaptive tests that they will begin to face in their futures. Perhaps, they will be better prepared….