Standards-Based Assessment

A standardization test presupposes certain objectives, criteria, that are held constant across one form of the test to another. The criteria in large-scale standardized tests are designed to apply to a broad band of competencies that are usually not exclusive to one particular curriculum. A good standardized test is the product of a thorough process of empirical research and development.

Advantages of standardized testing includes , foremost a ready –made previously validated product that frees the teacher from having to spend hours creating a test.

Disadvantages on the inappropriate use of test for example , using an overall proficiency test as an achievement test simply because of the convience of the standardization. Another disadvantage is the potential misunderstanding of the difference between direct and indirect testing.

In order to develop a standardized test we have to revise an existing test, adapt or expand an existing test or even create a smaller-scale standardized test for program you are teaching in.
Moreover, to evaluate and develop a classrom test we have to :

Determine the purpose and objectives of the test
Let’s look at the three test ;

The purpose of the TOEFL is to evaluate the English proficiency of people whose native language is not english. It is designed to help institutions to make valid decisions concerning english proficiency in terms of requirements
The ESLPT is designed by university faculty and staff to place student into courses in oral or grammar editing.
The GET is a test to determine a prospective students –both native or non native speakers in their writting ability to enter graduate level of courses in a programs.

Design test specifications
Decisions need to be made on how to go about designing the specifications of the test. Before specs can be adressed, a comprehensive program of research must identify a set of construct underlying the test itself.

Design, select, and arrange test
once specs for a standardized test have been stipulated, sometimes never ending task of designing, selecting, and arranging items begins. The specs act much like a blue print in determining the number and types of items to be created

Specify scoring and reporting formats
A systematic assembly of test items in preselected arrangements and sequences, all of which are validated to conform to an expected difficulty level, should yield a test that can then be scored accurately and reported back to test-takers and institutons efficiently.

Perform ongoing construct validation studies
There is no standardized instrument is expected to be used repeatdly without a rigorous program of ongoing construct validation. Any standardized test once develop, must be accompanied by systematic periodic corroboration of its effectiveness and by steps toward its improvement.

If you are looking for slide shows of this topic, you can download it here (google drive)

Further reading :
Brown, D. (2004). Language Assessment: Principles and Classroom Practices. New York: Pearson Longman.