PREL targets overhaul of assessment tests

The Pacific Resources for Education and Learning will develop for the CNMI enhanced assessment tests to cover all subject content areas tackled in public schools in efforts to measure accurate aptitude levels of students.

PREL, in collaboration with the Public School System, has laid down plans to create enhanced Reading, Mathematics, Writing, Science, and Social Science assessment tests within the next four years.

Test design teams are currently drafting Reading assessments which are being tailored to depart from the typical “bubble” tests that apparently limit students’ capacity to fully comprehend narratives.

Beginning next school year, newly-developed Reading tests will be available for 4th grade PSS students, according to Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos.

The collective process of developing localized test items has been initiated with help from the teachers, principals, parents, business professionals, and other community members, according to PREL program specialist Don Burger.

“Every year, the design teams will focus on a cycle of subjects to develop. During the next two years, we might venture into multiple contents that may include language arts standards,” said Dr. Inos.

In the revising assessment measures, Mr. Burger said design teams look at three main sources that mark students’ scholastic aptitude.

One credible reference is the to the Stanford Achievement Test–9th edition, a nationwide assessment which puts tabs on the average standing or norm of students.

“We are looking at some statistical correlations between those reading tests and the SAT9 test at grades 4, 8, and 11,” explained Mr. Burger.

Standards data derived from classroom teachers and the students’ self-evaluation are two other sources that would collectively paint a more or less accurate information on how well students perform in academics.

“All three tied up would complete the picture. From these sources we can make a really good, informed decisions about how our students are doing,” said Mr. Burger.

Aside from the CNMI, PREL is currently developing a set of assessment tools for Guam, and some areas in the mainland.

Next month, a Reading design team is scheduled to present a revised draft of assessments to PSS which will be subject to community approval. (MM)