Re: Comments Please

[gerald bracey <gbracey@EROLS.COM>]

Well, what is the purpose of the test?  If it is an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they have learned then a) they haven't had an opportunity or b) they had the opportunity and muffed it.  The p-values you gave look like what would be expected on an NRT, items that differentiate among people and rank them.  If the idea is to have some kind of criterion-referenced test then, in theory, the p-values should be much higher.

I say in theory because in practice it doesn't always work.  There are some schools in VA where the pass rates for Algebra 1 are still hovering in the 10% range.


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: William Cala 
  To: ARN-L@LISTS.CUA.EDU 
  Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2002 10:20 PM
  Subject: Re: Comments Please


  Jerry,

  What additional information could I provide that would lead you to a minimal suppositon?

  Bill
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: gerald bracey 
    To: ARN-L@listsrva.CUA.EDU 
    Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2002 8:34 PM
    Subject: Re: Comments Please


    Unable to decide on the basis of the information given.


      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: William Cala 
      To: ARN-L@LISTS.CUA.EDU 
      Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2002 8:58 PM
      Subject: Re: Comments Please


      Not much on the comments here.  How about answers to this short multiple-choice queston:

      Given the information provided, it appears that the 8th grade ELA was:
          A)  Easy
          B)  About right
          C)  Hard
          D)  Very Hard
          E)  A Killer 
        ----- Original Message ----- 
        From: William Cala 
        To: ARN-L@listsrva.CUA.EDU 
        Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2002 10:35 AM
        Subject: Comments Please


        To our ARN Psychometricians:


        NY's Eighth Grade ELA:


        There were 25 questions on the multiple choice part.  The P values
        broke down as follows:

        P value above .6:  7 questions
        P value of .6:  3 questions
        P value below .6:  15 questions

        Any useful thoughts?

        Thanks

        Bill