Evaluation considered as a process beginning with the planning stage. Provides experiences to develop competencies (e.g., writing objectives, choosing appropriate means of evaluation, constructing test items, analyzing data). Discussion of related issues (e.g., testing for mastery, uses of standardized tests, accountability, grading practices). Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior class standing. (UAlbany 2006–07 Undergraduate Bulletin). We will draw on a variety of instructional approaches including questioning, assigned readings, reflective writing, hands-on activities, class discussions, and individual papers.

Our major goals for this course are to:

· Understand the basic principles of the NCLB Act as related to accountability and high stakes testing;

· Construct classroom test items and design alternative assessments for specified lessons;

· Critically examine, reflect upon, and discuss classroom and standardized tests as informational and instructional tools;

· Establish a community of respect among peers in order to create a comfortable environment that allows for constructive and meaningful exchanges of ideas;

· Analyze issues pertaining to the are of development using the language of the discipline; and

· Develop further interest in the discipline.

Readings [back to top]

The main text for this course is available in the campus bookstore and at Mary Jane Books:

Linn, R. L., & Miller, M. D. (2005). Measurement and assessment in teaching (9^th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. [ISBN: 9780131137721]

Textbook Web site: http://www.prenhall.com/linn

A copy of the textbook and the Student Exercise Manual are available at the Library Reserves under the course name. Online version of the textbook is available through www.safarix.com. Additional articles and course documents can be found at e-reserves via the library Web site. The password for the course e-reserve is in the syllabus.

Educational Technology [back to top]

The course makes use of following information technologies:

· Course Web page publishes useful links and course grades.

· Listserv is the within class group e-mailing system for internal communication.

· E-reserve contains additional readings and other course documents.

· Blackboard is the online course platform for learning activities outside the classroom.

For more information or help on any of the above, contact me or the Information Technology Services at http://www.albany.edu/its.

Course Requirements and Evaluation [back to top]

You will demonstrate your achievement of the learning objectives/understanding goals via the following assignments:

A. Throughline Reflections (10 points—4 and 6 respectively): You will be asked to write about several overarching questions, or throughlines. Your written throughlines will be collected at the beginning and end of the semester and assessed according to a checklist (see p. 5 and 6). One rewrite of the first throughline is allowed, due one week after you receive your graded work from me. No rewrites of final throughlines are allowed.

B. Tests (40 points—10 each). You will be assessed on 4 non-cumulative tests on the dates listed on the syllabus. Tests will include information covered during lectures, class assignments, and assigned readings (text & articles). Tests will consist of multiple-choice, true-false, and matching questions. Tests can only be made up with submission of written medical or legal documentation indicating the reason for the absence(s).

C. Review Papers (10 points—5 each): You will write 2 review papers based on journal articles on a topic of your choice related to measurement and assessment.

D. Pop Quizzes (10 points): At least 4 unannounced pop quizzes will be given.

E. Portfolio (10 points): You will prepare a portfolio showing your work and progress in the class. We will discuss more about portfolios and develop a grading rubric as a class.

F. Homeworks (15 points—3 each): There will be 5 homework assignments to be completed throughout the semester. Directions and grading criteria will be provided.

G. Attendance and Participation (5 points): I expect you to attend classes on time and participate in every class. Moreover, I expect you to do the assigned readings before each class. Class discussions, assignments, and projects will assume you have done the readings. Absences will only be excused with submission of written medical and/or legal documentation to me indicating the reason for the absence.

The grades will be based on the completion of all course requirements and evidence of understanding and application of your knowledge of theories of learning and development. Rubrics or checklists for assignments will be provided.

A = 93 +

A- = 90 – 92

B+ = 87 – 89

B = 83 – 86

B- = 80 – 82

C+ = 77 – 79

C = 73 – 76

C- = 70 – 72

D+ = 67 – 69

D = 63 – 66

D- = 60 – 62

E = < 60

Weekly Schedule [back to top]

Week

Date

Topic, Readings, and Assignments Due

8/27

Introduction

8/29

Imagine! Assessments that energize students

Due: Email your information

9/3

No class – Labor Day

9/5

Educational Testing and Assessment (Ch 1)

Due: Throughline 1

9/10

The Role of Measurement and Assessment in Teaching (Ch 2 & Sireci I)

9/12

No class

9/17

Instructional Goals and Objectives (Ch 3)

9/19

Validity (Ch 4)

9/24

Reliability and Other Desired Characteristics (Ch 5)

9/26

Test 1

10/1

Planning Classroom Tests and Assessments (Ch 6)

10/3

Constructing Simple Form Test Items (Ch 7)

10/8

Constructing Multiple-Choice Test Items (Ch 8)

10/10

The Interpretive Exercise (Ch 9)

Due: Review Paper 1

10/15

Essay Questions (Ch 10)

10/17

Performance-Based Assessments (Ch 11)

10/22

Test 2

10/24

Portfolios (Ch 12)

W10

10/29

Assessment Procedures (Ch 13)

10/31

Using Classroom Tests and Assessments (Ch 14)

W11

11/5

Grading and Reporting (Ch 15)

11/7

Test 3

W12

11/12

Achievement Tests (Ch 16)

11/14

Aptitude Tests (Ch 17)

W13

11/19

Test Selection, Administration, and Use (Ch 18)

Due: Review Paper 2

11/21

No class

W14

11/26

Interpreting Test Scores and Norms (Ch 19)

11/28

NCLB (Sireci II & Popham)

W15

12/3

Evaluation and conclusion

12/5

Test 4

Due: Portfolio

Information [back to top]

Submissions

You will get your assignments back with my comments on. Assignment submissions are preferred in paper on the day of class for the assigned due date. For one reason or the other, if you can not bring the paper copy of your assignment to the class, you can send your work as an e-mail attachment before the midnight of the due date. However, if you e-mail your assignment, you still need to submit a print copy as soon as possible.

Equity

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for students with documented physical, sensory, systemic, cognitive, learning and psychiatric disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring accommodation in this class, please notify the director of Disability Resource Center (Campus Center 137, 442-5490). That office will provide the course instructor with verification of your disability, and will recommend appropriate accommodations. For more information, visit the website of the UAlbany Disability Resource Center at http://www.albany.edu/disability.

Academic Dishonesty

The University at Albany Standards of Academic Integrity prohibits all forms of academic dishonesty. These include plagiarism (presenting as one's own work the work of another person, including paraphrasing or summarizing without acknowledgment, submission of another student's work as one's own, the purchase of prepared research or completed projects or papers, and the unacknowledged use of research sources gathered by someone else), cheating on examinations, multiple submissions of work, forgery, sabotage, unauthorized collaboration, and falsification. If you engage in course-related academic dishonesty, your work will not be accepted or your grade on the work in question will be dramatically lowered. In some cases, the University Judicial System recommends disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion from the University. Any student wishing to protest any such action can initiate grievance procedures, starting at the department level. For more information visit http://www.albany.edu/gradstudies/academics/a4.shtml.

Links

Division of Educational Psychology and Methodology: http://www.albany.edu/educational_psychology/

Events at UAlbany: http://www.albany.edu/todayualbany/

Future Educators’ Club: http://www.albany.edu/~fec

School of Education: http://www.albany.edu/education/

State University of New York: http://www.suny.edu/

University Library education subject guide: http://library.albany.edu/subject/education_main.html

University Library reference collection: http://library.albany.edu/reference/

Week

Date

Updated on September 18, 2007 by Asil Ozdogru