Please take the sample test at this link:
https://login4.cloud1.tds.airast.org/student/V42/Pages/LoginShell.aspx?c=SBAC_PT
If the link doesn't take you directly to the sample test, start at the SBAC portal and navigate to the high school ELA test. After finishing the test (or as much as we have time for), add your comments here.
How does this test compare to the standardized tests you took in high school (for most of you the STEP test)? Do you see any particular strengths or weaknesses to the test?
The test in a way are harder than the standardized tests we took, but similar at the same time. Harder because it's asking you to write and give your own opinion. The STEP test was all multiple choice, you could send the sheet through a scanner and get the results. Here somebody has to sit down and read some kids answer and could be very bias about the answer or just not give a care in the world. The step test is object and it's right or wrong, there's no in between answers on the STEP test. Giving students the ability to write out and explain is a good idea because they have a chance to think and formulate an idea or argument but it goes back to somebody having to sit and read it. I'm not sure if they are trying to measure my ability to write or my knowledge content about different things. That's an issue because they are trying to force these content issues down my throat but, the test doesn't measure any of my content knowledge, just what can I infer from the stuff I read and how can I write or formulate and argument for it. That is a huge weakness.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this test was much harder than the standardized tests I took in high school. This test was set up a lot different as well. The questions were all about using hints and information in the context to answer the question. I had never had to answer a question like the one that had you take the notes of a student and write a paragraph on it. I also have never had to answer a question about what sources were relevant and reliable. I didn't particularly care for this quiz. If I was a high school student, I would have very low motivation in taking a test like this.
ReplyDeleteI didn't like this test at all. I thought most of the information was trivial and not important. Sure, some of it was important, but it seems like those parts could just be included in the English or Reading section of a STEP test. I also don't like that there are parts that not multiple choice. In my opinion a standardized test should be all multiple choice, without parts of the test being left to the discretion of whoever looks at it. I understand that there are tests that have these components, like the ACT writing or PPST Writing. But you know that going in. You know those portions are to evaluate your writing, grammar, etc. With this test, I'm not sure what those short answer questions were evaluating; my grammar? Maybe. My ability to put 2 and 2 together? Maybe. My ability to BS? Yes. I don't think they are valuable parts of a standardized tests.
ReplyDeleteThis test was not like the standardized tests i took in high school. I never remember their being a lot of writing with my standardized tests, i feel like with writing there is less of a write answer and even if you have something that you think is logical but the grader of the test does not think so you get it wrong and you're not even able to argue your point which makes writing it less useful. As far as strengths go one thing that i could see is you don't need a lot of outside knowledge coming into the test, you just need to be good at using context clues, so everyone comes in on an equal playing field. This isn't a total strength but if is one positive way to look at it.
ReplyDeleteI thought the first test (ISI) was a good test and would have my future students perform it. My favorite aspect of this exam was seeing where your scores stacked up in relation to other students as well as those that are elected officials. I did not like the Smarter Balance Exams. For my exam, the program was unresponsive and simply did not work. I also thought that there were many instances on the Smarter Balance Exam where they held your hand through certain exercises, which in my opinion, very much negated thinking and creating a coherent argument. Ex. One of the exam questions had me construct a paragraph using the students notes regarding a topic. The information was all there, so I guess if you want to test a student's ability to paraphrase then there you go!
ReplyDeleteI think assessment exams, like the Smarter Balance exam, or other standardized exams are not without their merit, but should not be the sole indicator of the student's knowledge and capabilities.
This test was much harder than any of the step test that I took in high school. I took the math test an it was hard, as you had to solve each one out by using the head. For me this was tough as I did not use scratch paper to solve. Also the structure of the test was weird as multiple choice was not a given. at the end my test score did not appear. This made me furious. Math was my second choice though thanks to the failure of my first site to load I went with it. Standardized tests should be uniform and should consist of a dialog that is accepted. Multiply choice should be a given on these tests, and should not stray from what is expected. This test format threw me for a loop. I had to guess on many questions for the sake of time and that I had no prior study sessions before taking this test. Standardized tests I feel are good in that they help us to evaluate our students’ strengths and weaknesses, though adhering to some of these formats would create a great divide in our public school system. Again tests need to be straight forward and setup in a way to promote learning.
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