The Iowa Tests of Basic Skills: standardized assessment and uses

¶ … educational assessments. What will one find? Are they standardized or not? Do aptitude and achievement tests exist? Are a variety of choices possible? One will study the "Iowa Tests for Basic Skills," and discuss the information (University of Iowa, 2011).

Provide a summary, link, or scanned document of the assessment. http://www.education.uiowa.edu/itp/itbs/itbs_about.aspx.

How is the assessment used?

This assessment is used for seven reasons. First, this helps the educator to determine whether or not an individual has the skills needed to succeed in a school setting. Second, an individual's is able to estimate the developmental level of his or her students in order to meet their needs. Third, someone is able to identify the strong and weak areas in order to teach him or her more effectively. Fourth, a baseline is established by means of monitoring achievement. Fifth, information is provided so that accommodations' are made for the students developmental disparities. Sixth, one is able to identify strengths and weakness in a classroom environment and to adapt it. Last, parents are made aware of how their child (ren) are doing through a report from the teacher (University of Iowa, 2011).

An individual tests for Math, Reading, Science, Social Studies and English (BrainChild, 2011). For further analysis, someone strives to understand how a student does in these areas through this particular test. If a student is behind in one subject, then the teacher will adapt to get him or her caught up. The same applies if a learner is ahead in another matter. Whatever the case, the goal is to improve instruction that the teacher provides to the apprentice (University of Iowa, 2011).

Is it norm or criterion-referenced? Explain.

The ITBS is a norm-referenced test. This is because one is able to measure the developmental level of a group of students in order to determine advancement or areas in which the teacher has to adapt (Fair Test, 2007). Not only that, but a person is able to compare scores from one student to the either and as a result a "norm" is established (Fair Test, 2007). One has to note that this is a multiple choice examination. Through this format, a "bell-shaped curve" is displayed through the results (Fair Test, 2007); consequently, "percentile ranks" are used (Fair Test, 2007). For example, a person could score in the 95% percentile in English but have a 65% percentile in Science. The teacher would notice this issue and would address it in the classroom setting. Through this format, one right or wrong answer can greatly affect a person's score. As one can tell, the "norm" is the key on how a teacher adapts their curriculum and how the school seeks to meet students needs in a more effectve manner (Fair Test, 2007).

Is it considered an aptitude or achievement test? Explain

This is an achievement test. One believes this is the case because it is comparing a number of scores, rather than one primary person. These individuals are not looking to see who has mastered the knowledge, but to see how each person is doing in comparison to the other. As a result, one school is compared to the other besides all the students, and they seek to do better the following years to come. The teachers have a grasp of what it is they need to teach their students, so that they understand the information and can become a success in life. Anyone can administer the test, and it is considered cost-effective. Not a lot of training is needed in order to find out where learners are at developmentally. However, if this was aptitude, one would look for personality or intelligence quotient factors, instead of specific subjects in the institutional setting for one to improve on daily (Fair Test, 2007).

What type of data driven decisions are made from this assessment?

Much is worth noting in regards to data driven decisions from the ITBS. The school district is able to look at the areas of weakness for the students, and adapt their curriculum in the years to come. They can make literacy a priority because those with rough backgrounds are able to improve in this area besides foreign language students. Anyone who struggles in the math and sciences, they can enforce this by having more activities on these subjects, such as an annual fair for competition purposes in order to encourage learning and understanding. These are ways in which the ITBS can get implemented into educational centers everywhere. As a result, people will improve in their skills as well as become better academics through the years (Cradler, 2008). Conclusion

The ITBS is widely used in the United States for testing the general skills of students. This is a standardized achievement test that consists of multiple choice questions and is timed. Schools are able to find out where they are ranked and the apprentice as well in order to seek areas in which to improve their scores. Norm-testing is used to compare how each learner is doing, and for the teacher to adapt the curriculum accordingly. However, the assessment is used to determine the developmental level of a student and to improve instruction in the institutional setting. Since everyone is human, one is bound to make errors when putting together a test. Sometimes the minorities or those with a higher economic status are favored. The creators of the test also strive to leave out the easy questions, so that the inquiries are fair for all students who take it. Through schools, parents and teachers who administer this test, they are able to save revenue and little to no training is needed to oversee it. Over time people learn from each other, and everyone involved becomes a success, which makes all their efforts worth it. One may not see it right away, but through patience and time the end results is valuable.