Test and Essay items: Thought Process and Rationale

The test items used were created to test what was being measured in the learning outcomes. Because I chose to measure students with learning disabilities I had to keep in mind that it was necessary to accommodate and modify the tasks included in the test items. Kubiszyn and Borich (2013) stated that “There is one basic rule to keep in mind when matching test items to instructional objectives: The learning outcome and conditions specified in the test question must match the Learning outcome and conditions described in the objective” (p. 114). Because the essay items could not be tweaked as the test items were, I had to account for the fact that there were no learning activities involved in this process. So in order to properly test the students using the essay items I included that the students research what was being measured first and then use the information that was researched to construct their essay. In order to put together test items that would “match” what was being measured, I had to think about the activities that I would use so that the students would be able to take their test with minimum or no assistance from the teacher. The visuals included on the tests assist the students and gives them a level of independence. I believe it is important to accommodate the students; yet, give them the independence they need in order for them to continue to learn, grow, and develop their skills. The essay test gives them the flexibility to learn something new without the stress of doing the assignment off the top of their head from just memory.

Reference: Kubiszyn, T. & Borich, G. (2013). Educational Testing and Measurement: Classroom Application and Practice. (10th ed.). Wiley. Kindle Edition.

Fourth Grade Geography

Learning Outcomes for fourth graders with learning disabilities.

Grade: 4

Age: 8-10

1. Outcome: Given a blank color coded map, student will recall the five Great Lakes.

Test Item: Using the blank color coded map below, write the name of each great lake on the map according to color.

Test Item: Matching

Column A lists the colors shown on the blank map above. Column B lists the names of the Great Lakes. Mark which Great Lake in Column B matches the color in Column A by putting the correct letter to the left of the number in Column A. Hint: There are only five Great Lakes.

Column A                                             Column B

_____1. Blue                                        A. Lake Huron

_____2. Yellow                                    B. Lake Ontario

_____ 3. Green                                    C. Lake Erie

_____4. Red                                        D. Lake Mississippi

_____5. Orange                                   E. Lake Michigan

                                                            F. Lake Superior

Test Item: Using the map above, say the name of each lake while pointing to where it is on the map.

Test Item: Essay

There are five Great Lakes, choose one of these lakes and write a short essay on the background of the lake and its importance. Essay must be at least two paragraphs or eight sentences.

eight sentences.
1.Outcome: By the end of the quarter, student will list the states that border each of the five Great Lakes.

Test Item: True or False

1. ___New York and Ontario border Lake Ontario.
2. ___Canada, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan border Lake Erie.
3. ___Michigan and Quebec border Lake Huron.
4. ___Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and Africa border Lake Michigan.
5. ___Ontario, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan border Lake Superior.

Test Item: Using the map below, fill in the States on the map that border the Great Lakes in the correct spaces.

Test Item: Completion

For each sentence, write the correct name on the line of the Lake that borders the States.

1. New York, Pennsylvania and Ontario border Lake __________.
2. Ontario, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan border Lake _____________.
3. Michigan, Province of Ontario, and Wisconsin border Lake ____________.
4. Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ontario border Lake ___________.
5. Ontario, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan border Lake ____________.

Test Item: Essay

Use the internet to research the history of the Great Lakes. Write a one page essay describing how they were formed.

3. Outcome: Given a blank color coded map, student will identify the seven continents.

Test Item: Using the color coded map below and the text box to the right of the map, write the continents on the map according to color.

Test Item: Matching

Column A lists the colors shown on the map above. Column B lists the names of the continents. Mark which continent in Column B matches the color in Column A, by putting the correct letter to the left of the number in Column A. Hint: There are only seven continents.

Column A                                                Column B

_____1. Yellow                                        A. Africa

_____2. Blue                                           B. Europe

_____3. Green                                        C. North Dakota

_____4. Orange                                      D. South America

_____5. Red                                           E. South Dakota

_____6. Purple                                       F. North America

            ______7. Brown                                     G. Asia

                                                                           H. Antarctica

                                                                           I. Australia

Test Item: Using the given cut outs of the seven continents, write the name of each continent on the correct cut out. Then, glue the continents in the correct place on the blank world map below.

Test Item: Essay

You have learned the names of seven continents and where they are located on the world map. Choose one of these continents to research. Write a one page essay on three important facts about the continent and why you chose these three facts.