Multiple Measures: Accurate Ways to Assess Student Achievement

During the evolution of education reform in the nineties, school districts across the United States have struggled to comply with federal requirements. In response to the increasing need for data gathering, disaggregation, and analysis, the authors have compiled a pragmatic guide to developing standards-based accountability systems using multiple measures to evaluate the effectiveness of the compensatory education programs. Step-by-step explanations, examples, data, and tips on implementation are included. This book is a synthesis and an expansion of the handouts, reports, graphs and charts, and communiques related to the authors' work with 130 school districts. All tables and examples used in the book are derived from real data collected from real schools in these districts.

Table of Contents:
Introduction A Multiple Measure Imperative Testing General Information Testing Reliability, Validity and Fairness How to Combine Multiple Measures Multiple Measures and Special Populations Multiple Measures and Standards Data-Driven School Improvement

About the Author :
John Hollingsworth is president of DataWORKS Educational Research, a company originally created to use real data to improve student achievement. Although DataWORKS started by analyzing learning outcomes (test scores), it soon refocused towards analyzing learning inputs (classroom instructional practices).  DataWORKS now focuses mainly on providing staff development to schools on classroom instruction.  John is an active researcher and presenter and has published numerous articles in educational publications.  He spends much of his time on the road training teachers. Dr. Silvia Ybarra, Ed.D., began her career in education as a physics and chemistry teacher at Roosevelt High School in Fresno, California.  Next, Silvia became principal of Wilson Middle School in Exeter, California, which under her leadership became a prestigious Distinguished School.  Silvia was then named assistant superintendent of Coalinga-Huron School District. Her focus progressed from helping one classroom to helping one school to helping an entire district.  Silvia is the head researcher at DataWORKS.  

Review :
 "Combines multiple genres of assessment into a meaningful and communicative whole. This approach can be used to both guide student instruction and justify and allocate resources." "The authors offer administrators and policymakers specific examples of how to actually combine multiple measures to answer questions of accountability."