Four Types of Academic Testing

Parents are often at a loss when it comes to tests given to their students at school. There are many types with many different purposes. Knowing what type of test your child was given, and the reason can help you greatly in helping your child and working in unison with your child's teacher. Listed below are the four types of test and their purpose.

Test to Monitor Student's Progress

These tests are used to determine if students are on the level they need to be or if they are making appropriate progress in the chosen subject area. These tests, if given yearly, can give an indication of where the student needs help and will alert the teacher when the student is performing below grade level. These tests are popular in the area of reading education. One of the favorite tests to monitor student progress is the DIEBELS. Most elementary teachers are familiar with this test. It is called the Diagnostic Instrument of Basic Early Literacy Skills., and is generally given from grades k through 3^rd grade. These tests are given throughout the school year when a need arises.

Tests to Screen Students

These tests are often used to see where a student is related to other students in their grade level. The screening test will give a percentage as related to other students who took the same test. They can be used to see where a student specifically needs remediation. Such a test is the infamous FCAT or Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test. One of the dangers when using these types of tests, is that the screening test is sometimes used almost exclusively to formulate lesson plans and instructions. Screening tests are often used to develop what is called Data Based Instruction. For instance, if a student scored low on understanding Main Idea, the teacher would focus on main idea instruction during the next school term. The statistics and scores on screening tests such as the FCAT are used not only to drive individual instruction, but to formulate instruction for entire classes. Some wonder if this isn't taking education in the wrong direction, concentrating on the entire class rather than the needs of the individual student. These types of tests or screening tests are generally given at the end of a school year to assess what a student has learned during that year.

Diagnostic Testing

These test do basically what their name implies, they diagnose where the problems lie and also where the students strengths are. These tests generally have more in-depth questions that would tell the teacher exactly where the student's deficit was. For example, when testing students on main idea, this sort of a test would go a step further, and let the teacher know the student's weakness was in the area of implied main idea or picking out a main idea that is only hinted at. One of the most famous diagnostic tests is the DAR or Diagnostic Assessment of Reading. The diagnostic test is generally given individually, to assess the score of one student alone rather than compared to an entire group of students. These types of tests can be given at any time the teacher deems necessary.

Outcome Based Tests

The outcome based test follows after learning has taken place to see if the student has learned whatever the objective was. One could say then that an end of the chapter test was an outcome based test. This test is used more or less to survey what was learned, rather than trying to correct what wasn't learned. These tests basically tell a teacher or parent where the child is, and what needs to be learned in the future that they may have missed out on. One such example, that most parents are properly familiar with is the yearly Stanford 9 that a lot of school districts throughout the United States give students every year. Outcome based tests are given at the end of a lesson objective chapter objective or at the end of the year to measure if the student learned what they were suppose to learn.

Knowing which test your child has been given, and the reason for the test can help you greatly in helping your child in school. You will know why the test was given and the purpose. The most important thing to remember that an open line of communication is necessary between you and your child's teacher. She or he will be more than happy to explain any test to you and be a partner in your child's education.