Beyond bias: methods for fairness in testing

Resources

In the unit readings from your Psychological Testing and Assessmenttext, you read about misconceptions regarding test bias and test fairness, two terms that are often incorrectly considered synonymous. While questions regarding test bias have been addressed through technical means, issues with test fairness are tied to values. The text attempts to define test fairness in a psychometric context and provides eight techniques for preventing or remedying adverse impact on one or another group (see page 209). One of these techniques included differential cutoffs. Furthermore, you were introduced to a variety of methods for setting cut scores. These methods have been based on either CTT or IRT.

For this discussion, synthesize the information you learned about these two theories and respective methods. In your post:

• Determine which one is preferential for responding to questions about a test’s fairness.
• Identify at least two advantages and two disadvantages in using each theory, citing appropriate AERA standards from your readings.
• Defend your preference in terms of the methods used within each theory and how they apply to concepts of fairness across groups. Essentially, how does it best address test fairness?
• Describe how advances in technology are improving the process of test development and inclusion of appropriate items.

StudiesKey ConceptsReview Unit 5 Key Concepts.ReadingsUse your Psychological Testing and Assessment text to complete the following:Read Chapter 7, “Utility,” pages 212–239.Read Chapter 8, “Test Development,” pages 240–269.Review the information on validity, bias, and fairness on pages 204–210.Use your Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing text to read Chapter 4, “Test Design and Development,” pages 75–94.Use the Capella library to review Embretson’s 2004 article, “The Second Century of Ability Testing: Some Predictions and Speculations,” from Measurement: Interdisciplinary Research and Perspectives, volume 2, issue 1, pages 1–32.Use the Internet to review page 5 of “Code of Fair Testing Practices in Education” from Joint Committee on Testing Practices.TurnitinWhile Turnitin is always recommended, a Turnitin submission in this course is required for assignments in Units 5 and 9. An appropriate Turnitin score and report are required for the assignments. Remember that you will need to do both of the following steps: (1) upload the paper to Turnitin and (2) submit it to the assignment area for a grade. It is recommended that everyone obtain a Turnitin score and report prior to assignment submission so you have time to make any changes, if necessary, to reach an acceptable range for Turnitin, or content matching to published work. After you obtain a score, then you can click on the report link to see a color-coded matching to existing content. Review that document closely to determine if edits are necessary prior to submitting the paper in the courseroom’s assignment area. Turnitin is a wonderful and powerful tool provided in the courseroom to assist in editing your work for originality.Unit 5 Learning CheckComplete the Unit 5 Learning Check. All learning checks are required activities. While you do not receive a unit grade for completing each check, it remains a course requirement, and will assist you in understanding the content in the units, and will prepare you for the final quiz in Unit 10, which is graded