Measuring Up: What Educational Testing Really Tells Us

Whether you are trying to choose a school for your child (or deciding which district to move into), evaluate a student or a teacher, comply with the requirements of No Child Left Behind, admit students or apply for admittance, or compare the educational systems of different countries, there is likely to be some kind of a test involved. The design and interpretation of tests is fraught with pitfalls, and Daniel Koretz points out many of the ways in which they are misused and misinterpreted. Contrary to the quote from GWB, "A reading comprehension test is a reading comprehension test. And a math test in the fourth grade - there's not many ways you can foul up a test ... It's pretty easy to norm the results", there are many, many ways to foul up a test, and we see them every day. Incredible as it might seem, Koretz has managed to write an engaging and wry book about testing and measurement, which is often considered a dry subject. I strongly recommend this book, but only to teachers, parents, school board members, principals, college faculty, legislators, voters, and others concerned about teaching and learning. It is the best book on education that I have read in a long time.

Publication information
Pick Attribution: 

Daniel Koretz

Publication Date: 
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Price: 
$29.95
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