Improving the Information Value of Performance Items in Large Scale Assessments

Title:	Improving the Information Value of Performance Items in Large Scale Assessments
Description:	The authors first provide a summary overview of what is already known and what is needed to learn about item types for future NAEP assessments. Essentially, the question addressed here is: Do constructed-response items provide more information about what students are capable of doing than what multiple-choice items alone provide, and if so, what types of skills are tapped by the constructed-response items that are not measured by multiple-choice items? A fresh examination of the relationships between multiple-choice and constructed-response items is needed, according to the authors. The authors propose a set of studies that would provide needed information about the value added of performance items in mixed-format assessments such as NAEP.
Online Availability:	Download, view and print the report as a pdf file. (290KB)
Cover Date:	April 2003
Web Release:	May 19, 2003
Print Release:	This Publication will only be available online.
Publication #:	NCES 200308 General Ordering Information
Center/Program:	NCES
Authors:	P. David Pearson, Diane R. Garavaglia
Type of Product:	Working Paper
	Working Papers provide preliminary analysis of substantive, technical, and methodological issues. They are works in progress that are presented to promote the sharing of valuable work experience and knowledge. These papers have not undergone a rigorous review for consistency with NCES standards.
Survey/Program Areas:	National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
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