Methods for Improving Standardized Test Scores: Fruitful, Fruitless, or Fraudulent?

Abstract

You may be able to identify several ways students can be prepared to take an upcoming test, but which ways are ethical to use? There are available materials that you may purchase and use to prepare students for a test: Are they effective and is it ethical to use them? What constitutes an ethically acceptable test preparation procedure?

The Effect of Training in Test Item Writing on Test Performance of Junior High Students

“…Preparing students for tests in isolation of content delivery jeopardizes overall instruction and learning (Mehrens and Kaminski, 1989). With increased pressure to produce higher test scores, teachers are placed in a position of considering inappropriate means to meet the demands of external forces.…”

“…Teaching directly to the same form or a previous form of the test are considered unacceptable and unethical (Popham, 1991;Mehrens and Kaminski, 1989;Kilian, 1992).…”

The Effect of Training in Test Item Writing on Test Performance of Junior High Students

“…Testwiseness consists primarily of providing students with tools needed to navigate through the wording, structure, physical requirements, and expectations of external tests (Phillips, 1983;Hall, 1990;Palmer, 1984;Ducote, 1982;Ligon, 1981;Seton, 1992). The tools (strategies) most commonly provided the student include looking for clues, familiarity with format, process of elimination, time planning, physical and emotional preparedness, direction following, knowing the type of item, grammatical relationship between the stem and the answer, carefulness, and knowing the type of item that is being presented (Summers, 1983;Montgomery County Board of Education, 1982;Phillips, 1983;Ligon, 1981;Anderson, 1981;Diamond, 1972;BangertDrowns, 1983;Guifford, 1980;Kilian, 1992;George, 1985;Mehrens and Kaminski, 1989). The number of strategies mentioned exceeds twenty-five.…”

“…These materials exist in various forms from paper-and-pencil to computer-interactive preparation. Mehrens and Kaminski (1989) (Ducote, 1982).…”

“…Coaching kits converge on the requirements for passing the test and include sample stimulus items mirroring the style of the test, principles and skills required by the test, sufficient sample items, and point out major principles and skills. Mehrens and Kaminski (1989) (Hall and Kleine, 1990). The purpose of the materials, to prepare students for nationally sold standardized tests, focused primarily on testwiseness skills.…”