Assessment Development

The development process may include the following activities:

Framework Development

Test frameworks—sets of competencies that define the content of each test—are prepared for fields under development. The competencies are broad statements of knowledge and skills that are important for performing the job of an educator in Ohio public schools. The draft frameworks are based on sources including Ohio and national standards for each field. The draft frameworks are reviewed and approved by committees of Ohio public school educators and educator preparation faculty. The Framework Review Conference is typically a one-day meeting.

Content Validation Survey

The purpose of the content validation survey is to ensure that the competencies identified for each field represent important aspects of the field and are consistent with the practice of Ohio public school educators. Public school educators throughout Ohio and faculty in educator preparation programs are asked to participate in these surveys.

Item Development and Review

Test questions are prepared based on the validated frameworks and other relevant materials obtained from Ohio educators. Draft test questions are reviewed and approved by the committees of Ohio public school educators and educator preparation faculty. The Item Review Conference is a one- to- two-day meeting.

Pilot Testing

Test questions are pilot tested to gather information about their quality and technical characteristics. The pilot test provides teacher candidates the opportunity to preview actual test questions and gain valuable practice in computer-based testing.

Marker Selection

Content Advisory Committee members convene to review and approve exemplary responses to constructed-response assignments. These responses will serve as "score-point markers" for training scorers to accurately and consistently score test takers' responses. The Marker Selection Meeting is typically a one-day meeting.

Test Administration

The schedule and other information for OAE test administrations can be found on the OAE Web site at www.oh.nesinc.com .

Standard Setting

At this meeting, educators participate in a process for recommending a passing score for each assessment to the State Board of Education of Ohio. The Standard Setting Conference is typically a one- or two-day meeting.

Bias Review

Educators convene to review draft test materials, including test competencies and test items, for bias prevention and the inclusion of diversity in test materials. These are typically one- or two-day meetings held just before the content review meetings.

Top of Page