Which two properties are essential when selecting assessments to measure student learning?

Which two properties are essential when selecting assessments to measure student learning?

• A. Length and cost
• B. Color and font
• C. Validity and reliability
• D. Brand and popularity

Answer: (C)

When selecting assessments to measure student learning, the key are validity and reliability. Validity asks whether the assessment truly measures what it’s intended to measure. It means the content and tasks align with the learning goals and capture the intended skills or knowledge, rather than extraneous factors. For example, a math assessment should focus on solving algebra problems and understanding concepts, not on reading ability or test-taking tricks. Reliability means the results are consistent and stable across different administrations, occasions, or scorers. If a student takes the same test on two different days, or if different teachers score open-ended items, similar scores should emerge, indicating that the measure isn’t heavily affected by chance or bias. These properties matter because they ensure that inferences about student learning are trustworthy and comparable across students and over time. Length, cost, color, or brand might affect practicality or appeal, but they don’t guarantee that the assessment actually measures what it’s supposed to or that it yields stable results.

When selecting assessments to measure student learning, the key are validity and reliability. Validity asks whether the assessment truly measures what it’s intended to measure. It means the content and tasks align with the learning goals and capture the intended skills or knowledge, rather than extraneous factors. For example, a math assessment should focus on solving algebra problems and understanding concepts, not on reading ability or test-taking tricks. Reliability means the results are consistent and stable across different administrations, occasions, or scorers. If a student takes the same test on two different days, or if different teachers score open-ended items, similar scores should emerge, indicating that the measure isn’t heavily affected by chance or bias.

These properties matter because they ensure that inferences about student learning are trustworthy and comparable across students and over time. Length, cost, color, or brand might affect practicality or appeal, but they don’t guarantee that the assessment actually measures what it’s supposed to or that it yields stable results.