Types of Tests

Number 1, January 2004

What Parents Should Know About Test Types

Testing in our nation’s schools is on the rise. From the classroom quiz to the large-scale standardized test, the pressure for education to be “accountable” has intensified. As your child experiences this new tide of testing, it’s helpful to become more aware of the different types of tests and their purposes.
What types of tests does my child take at school? Students in the United States usually take three types of tests in school: standards-based tests, norm-referenced tests, and classroom tests. Below are basic descriptions of each type. Standards-Based Tests

Helpful Web Sites
CAESL http://www.caesl.org/ CRESST http://www.cse.ucla.edu/ WestEd http://www.wested.org/ Parent Portal at LHS http://lhsparent.org Greatschools.net http://www.greatschools.net/ National PTA http://www.pta.org/ National Parent Information Network http://www.NPIN.org/

States and school districts develop standards-based tests to measure Family Education Network student and school progress toward reaching state content standards. http://www.familyeducation.com State (or district) standards are a written description—usually by grade level—of what students are expected to know in major subject areas. Students across the state or district take the test and the results are used to create a series of proficiency levels linked to the state standards. The levels usually include below basic, basic, proficient and advanced, but the terms and number of levels can differ between states or districts. In general, the more questions a student answers correctly, the higher the proficiency level reached. A standards-based test may include multiple-choice, short answer, or essay questions, or include a combination of formats. Most students take a state standardsbased test once a year, often in the spring. Results are provided to teachers, schools, and parents several months after the test. Federal legislation contained in the No... [continues]

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