Foundations of Assessment

Abstract

This course is built around the Mislevy/Steinberg/Almond "evidence centered design" framework for educational assessment. It introduces the student, evidence, and task models of the conceptual assessment framework, and explores their roles in a four-process delivery system.

This perspective applies to assessments that range from large-scale standardized tests and classroom quizzes, to intelligent tutoring systems and sessions between students and tutors. The course therefore emphasizes the principles of evidentiary reasoning and design-under-constraints that are common across assessment forms and purposes.

After an overview of the models, the class explores how a coherent assessment design builds on each of several disciplines, including cognitive psychology, evidentiary reasoning, and measurement models. Ideas will be illustrated with examples such as the Advanced Placement Studio Art Portfolio Assessment, the GRE, and the Hydrive coached practice system.

As a course project, each student will explicate an assessment (preferably ones in which they have a professional interest) in terms of the design and delivery-system models.