Sample Essay: Stanford Achievement Test

Background

The Stanford Achievement Test is now a state of the art and it is used to assess and measure the progress of the student towards high academic standards. In 1923, Stanford Achievement Test first introduced and it had several revisions. Each revision includes updates to better align the test with the curriculum trends. Revisions update all the information to make it more valid comparisons and to improve all the information included in the test. The thirteen battery test is given to students from kindergarten through grade 12 and it used to measure their scholastic achievements. The features of Stanford Achievement Test features stand out from other achievement test and it aims to best accommodate the children. The primary objective of giving the test is to assess the children from their academic knowledge and it is given for the elementary and secondary students. The Stanford Achievement Test is standardized test and being utilized by most schools in the United States. The tests consists 13 levels that correspond based on the year level of the student. There are subsets included in each test covering the subjects like mathematical problem, reading and comprehension, science, and problem solving. The test usually comes in several types such as short answer, multiple choice and extended response. The tests have questions wherein the students are required and given the opportunity to answer in long sentences wherein the extended response allows the student to make graphs on their answers. Science and mathematics exams usually require the students to show illustrations to clearly explain their answers. The students are assessed by their test scores as it reflects their academic performance and measure their developmental scale. The performances of the students are compared with representative sample of students across the United States. Stanford achievement test started from the early twentieth century and it primarily used to assess the student’s academic achievement. Stanford Achievement Test has new types of questions and these questions are based on the actual performances of the students.

Test Structure, Format, and Administration

The Stanford Achievement Test includes series of tests consist the two levels of the Stanford Early School Achievement Test that is given to grades K through the first half of Grade 1. SAT includes eight levels covering the second half of grade 1 through the end of the junior high school. The Stanford Test of Academic Skills is used to measure the students in grade 9-12 in basic skills that are essential to continue the academic training. The tests in SAT combine multiple choice and open ended subtests that are aligned with the national standards. The open ended subtests includes instructional objectives that is utilized to measure the performance tasks and with the constructed response of the students. These open ended subtests are supplement to multiple choice type of test and it is comprised of mathematics, reading, science, social science and language.

Validity and Reliability of Scores

The statistics measure the reliability of test items in Stanford Achievement Test. All the students are included in the measurement of progress and their progress will be evaluated by the schools toward the achievement standards. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act was amended by No Child Left behind Act wherein all the students even with disabilities and disadvantage students will participate. Their performances will be compared to the general population. Reporting on the performances of students with disability is required to ensure that there will be no students left behind. The students are assessed in terms of the reliable information on what they know in determining their mastery of skills in other subjects other than English. The Stanford Achievement Test level the playing field for the students and it removes all the irrelevant variance created by their disabilities. The test scores for students with disabilities will also be measured based on the standard assessment applied to non disabled students. Stanford Achievement Test is an excellent instrument that provides valid and reliable data to evaluate the student’s progress in meeting the challenges set in the state standards. The teachers help all the children who are at risk and being left behind. The Stanford Achievement Test accurately evaluates the educational performances of the students and it is reflected on their scores. The scores of the tests determine not only the correct answers but it also reflects the classroom performance of student. All the tests included in Stanford Achievement Test are arranged to effectively evaluate the performances of the students. This evaluation and assessment is made in uniform standards of administration and scoring. Every score of the students are compared to a set of representative of students. The scores are considered as gage to compare the performance of the student with others at the same level. The tests included in SAT are generally norm referenced wherein the classroom tests are the criterion. The scores of the test are being compared to sample of students. The norm group is consists of national representative group of students. It allows comparison to others and it diagnosed strengths and weaknesses. It helps educational institution to determine placement for individual students. The scores in the tests evaluate the schools on particular program and it contributes accountability by evaluating the school’s performance (Standards for Educational Testing, 2008).

Scoring

The scores range from 1 to 99 percent and this is not the correct percentage but the number of scores who scored the same or below you. The standard scores are converted into percentile rank based on the normal curve. The stanine scores describe the score of the student from 1-9, and it shows that 50 percent in rank would have stanine score of 5. The scores of the student are expressed based on the grade level of students and if the score is 6.5 it means that the score is the same with average student in 5th month of the 6th grade. The scores in SAT are translated from 200 to 800 and it is based on the distance from the mean of 500 and a standard deviation of 100. The scores of the test also reflect the classroom performance of the student.

PROS and CONS of the Test

SAT has many advantages such as its use to easily track the progress and levels of achievement for different groups of students in different subjects. Through the use of SAT, it avoids any biases from the teacher or person who will be responsible in assessing the student. Stanford Achievement Test is a powerful tool to change and monitor classroom and school performance. It has the ability to identify the problems in a classroom, school or district and it can take active steps to correct the problems. SAT sets high expectations for the students that lead to achievement gains and through the tests it takes students to study seriously. Stanford Achievement Test holds the students accountable for the same material levels in most diverse school systems. However, Stanford Achievement Test also has disadvantages like the manner in which it affects the teachers in teaching their students and how it affects the meaningful learning in a classroom.

Research Studies

The Stanford Achievement Test promotes learning and most students will become eager to study the material because they know that there will be tests on it. The assessment for the student is too hard because it could discourage them if they can’t master the subject matter. SAT is considered as extrinsic motivator as it directs the students to their performance goals. Most students are convinced that the test is primarily an evaluation of their performance rather than mechanisms to help them learn. However, Sat has the ability to empower successful students because it could give them greater motivation and confidence in their ability to learn. The emotional distress of the students affects the teachers and most teachers feel anxiety and guilt for having the tests (Competency Standards, 2008).

Conclusion

In the overall evaluation of the Stanford Achievement Test, it certainly helps the educational institution to encourage the student’s sense pf achievement, capability and scholastic progress. The score of each test measures the academic performance of the student and it is also used to measure the developmental scale. The norm based scores is used to compare the performance of the student with representative sample of students across the United States.

Stanford Achievement Test gives favor in updating schools and curriculum because of its capability to identify the problems in a classroom, school or district and its ability to take active steps in correcting the problems. SAT sets high expectations for the students that lead to achievement gains and through the tests it takes students to study seriously.

Reference

Mental Measurements. Retrieved April 26, 2008, from the Intern Explorer website:

http://www.unl.edu/buros/bimm/html/subarts.html

Standards for Educational Testing. Retrieved April 26, 2008, from the Internet Explorer website:

http://www.apa.org/science/standards.html

Competency Standards. Retrieved April 26, 2008, from the Internet Explorer website:

http://www.unl.edu/buros/bimm/html/article4.html

Stanford Achievement Test. Retrieved April 26, 2008, from the Internet Explorer website:

http://harcourtassessment.com/HAIWEB/Cultures/en-us/Productdetail.htm?Pid=SAT10C