The Comparability of Norm-Referenced Achievement Tests as They Align to Nebraska's Language Arts Content Standards.

Three separate studies were designed to provide information on the alignment of norm-referenced achievement test items in language arts to Nebraska's content standards at grades 4, 8, and 11. The information was used to evaluate the alignment of the tests to the standards as well as compare that alignment across the five tests. There were 20 teachers on the 4th-grade panel, 10 teachers on the 8th grade panel, and 10 on the 11th grade panel. Teachers from school districts across the state were selected to participate in these studies. The teachers evaluated how well items from these tests aligned to content standards in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Results for language arts showed moderate alignment between the norm-referenced test items and standards. These studies were used as validity evidence for Nebraska's state assessment model that permits school districts to select the norm-referenced test that best meets their needs and then to supplement that test with district developed assessments to address what the norm-referenced tests do not measure. (Contains 3 tables and 10 references.) (SLD)