ERIC Number: EJ862701
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0003-1003
EISSN: N/A
The Validity of Standardized Testing in Science
Visone, Jeremy D.
American Secondary Education, v38 n1 p46-61 Fall 2009
This study explored the relationship between reading and achievement on a science standardized test. A nonfiction reading subtest and the science section of the Connecticut Academic Performance Test were compared for Grade 10 students at 3 Connecticut high schools. Results showed a moderate-to-strong positive relationship between the variables. The correlation coefficients across the 3 schools for their entire data sets ranged from 0.41 to 0.74. Though this study was not designed to yield conclusions about causation, the consistency of the positive, moderate-to-strong correlations speaks to the existence of a meaningful relationship between the variables. This relationship should cause educators to carefully examine the validity of using language-based standardized tests to assess students' science knowledge, especially for less-proficient readers. (Contains 5 tables.)
Descriptors: Standardized Tests, Correlation, Test Validity, Science Achievement, Science Education, Nonfiction, Predictor Variables, Comparative Testing, Critical Reading, Content Area Reading, Criterion Referenced Tests, Equated Scores, Grade 10
Ashland University Dwight Schar College of Education. 229 Dwight Schar Building, 401 College Avenue, Ashland, OH 44805. Tel: 419-289-5273; Web site: http://www3.ashland.edu/ase
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 10; High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Connecticut
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A