Background Variables, Levels of Aggregation, and Standardized Test Scores

dc.creator	Sharon E. Paulson
dc.creator	Gregory J. Marchant
dc.date	2009-12-01T00:00:00Z
dc.date.accessioned	2015-07-20T22:17:26Z
dc.date.available	2015-07-20T22:17:26Z
dc.identifier	1068-2341
dc.identifier	https://doaj.org/article/c30aae6714e94e61a4e02d2af9661a0b
dc.identifier.uri	http://evidence.thinkportal.org/handle/123456789/19005
dc.description	<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">This article examines the role of student demographic characteristics in standardized achievement test scores at both the individual level and aggregated at the state, district, school levels. For several data sets, the majority of the variance among states, districts, and schools was related to demographic characteristics. Where these background variables outside of the control of schools significantly affected averaged scores, and test scores result in high stakes consequences, benefits and sanctions may be inappropriately applied. Furthermore, disaggregating the data by race, SES, limited English, or other groupings ignores the significant confounding and cumulative effects of belonging to more than one disadvantaged group. With these approaches to evaluation being fundamental to the No Child Left Behind mandates, the danger of misinterpretation and inappropriate application of sanctions is substantial.</span>
dc.language	English
dc.language	Spanish
dc.language	Portuguese
dc.publisher	Arizona State University
dc.relation	http://epaa.asu.edu/ojs/article/view/389
dc.relation	https://doaj.org/toc/1068-2341
dc.rights	CC BY
dc.source	Education Policy Analysis Archives, Vol 17, p 22 (2009)
dc.subject	statistical methodology
dc.subject	accountability
dc.subject	student achievement
dc.subject	demographic factors
dc.subject	Special aspects of education
dc.subject	LC8-6691
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	DOAJ:Education
dc.subject	DOAJ:Social Sciences
dc.subject	Special aspects of education
dc.subject	LC8-6691
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	DOAJ:Education
dc.subject	DOAJ:Social Sciences
dc.subject	Special aspects of education
dc.subject	LC8-6691
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	Special aspects of education
dc.subject	LC8-6691
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	Special aspects of education
dc.subject	LC8-6691
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.title	Background Variables, Levels of Aggregation, and Standardized Test Scores
dc.type	article