Approach of High Stakes Testing

Contents

Introduction2

Findings of Two case studies2

Evaluation and approach used in case studies3

Four key characteristics of the sample population3

Range3

Density4

Age structure4

Gender4

Challenges encountered during the research and their solutions4

Ways to meet the challenges4

Advantages and limitations of the case study5

Limitations5

Ethical issue that might be involved in survey research6

Survey instrument with ten (10) questions for the sample population6

Interpreting and reporting of data7

References9

Approach of High Stakes Testing

Introduction

The objective of this research paper is to identify and discuss various approaches to the high stakes testing and conduct a research analysis on the subject. The high stakes testing is a process of improving and strengthening the schools by improving the grades of students and system of the teachers' evaluation. These specific tests provide significant measures of students' knowledge, abilities and skills. Therefore, test must be a part of a system in which wide and reasonable access to educational progress and opportunity is provided to all students. In high stakes tests, assessments are not made on the score of a single test, because a single test can just give a picture of students' achievement and might not precisely reflect the worth of student's achievement or progress of an entire year.

Findings of Two case studies

The two case studies which have been selected for this research purpose which are “High-Stakes Testing and Curricular Control” and “Assessment, high stakes, and alternative visions”. In the former article, the findings suggest that high stakes testing narrow down the subjects which are to be tested and lower down the burden of teachers. The knowledge of subject area is tested and teacher can easily evaluate the performance of the students. There are three types of controls that are implemented by high stakes testing which are formal control, content control and pedagogic control (Laitsch, 2006).

The findings of the second article suggest that the high stakes test plays pivotal role in increasing student achievements. The learning skills of the students are increased through these tests and they acquire knowledge of different subjects. High stakes testing has significant effect on teachers as well students. There is an adverse effect of high-stakes test scores and stress on school teacher practices and perceptions (Au, 2007).

Evaluation and approach used in case studies

The class room approach has been used in the first article in which teachers conduct high stakes test which evaluates the skills and knowledge of the students. This approach has significant benefits. The results of those tests are used to make various important decisions which are related to the school, teachers and administration (Laitsch, 2006). This allows the teachers to make significant changes in the course curriculum with the passage of time so that the students can gain knew knowledge of the related subject areas. In the second article assessment criteria is already pre-defined on which the high stakes tests are evaluated. This allows the students to prepare study plan through which they can gain more knowledge about the specific subject (Au, 2007).

Four key characteristics of the sample population

Range

Range refers to the area inhabited by ...