Test objectives define the content of a test. The objectives are broad statements
of knowledge and skills that are important for performing the job of an educator
in the California public school system. Draft objectives are prepared based on sources
including California and national standards. The draft objectives are reviewed and
approved by committees of California educators and educator preparation faculty.
The Objective Review Conference may be a one-to two-day meeting.
The purpose of the content validation survey is to ensure that the test objectives identified represent important aspects of the subject area and are relevant to the job of an educator as authorized by the credential. Practicing educators and faculty who prepare educators are asked to participate in the statewide, online survey.
Test items (test questions) are prepared based on the validated test objectives and other relevant materials obtained from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). All draft test items are reviewed and approved by a committee of California educators and educator preparation faculty. The Item Review Conference may be a one- to three-day meeting.
Draft test items are field tested to gather information about their quality and technical characteristics. The field test provides educator candidates with the opportunity to sample actual test items and prepare for future tests.
Committee members convene to review and approve exemplary candidate responses to constructed-response assignments. These responses will serve as score-point markers for training scorers to accurately score examinee responses. The Marker Response Selection Conference is typically a one- to three-day meeting.
A standard setting conference typically occurs after the first administration of a new test. At this conference, educators participate in a review process to provide the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) with passing standard recommendations for each test. The CTC has the responsibility of making the final determination of the passing standard for each test.
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