An independent national commission reported in late 2001 how it would be possible to create large-scale tests that could yield credible accountability evidence, yet also assist teachers in doing a better instructional job. The commission described these as “instructionally supportive accountability tests” and identified their components.
This report, written specifically for educational policymakers, contains the Commission’s nine requirements for instructionally supportive accountability tests.
Because a pivotal aspect of the Commission’s recommendations revolves around the assessment of only a modest number of high-import curricular aims, this analysis provides a procedure for coalescing smaller-scope content standards into broader-scope content standards. Illustrations in language arts and mathematics are provided.
In this report, illustrative language is supplied that could be used in a request for proposals [RFP] if a state wished to seek external contractors to develop accountability tests in accord with the Commission on Instructionally Supportive Assessment’s nine requirements for accountability tests.
A comparison is provided in this report of the key requirements of the NCLB Act and the October 2001 recommendations of the Commission on Instructionally Supportive Assessment.
