Graduate Program
English
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Semester of Degree Completion
2005
Thesis Director
Robin Murray
Thesis Committee Member
Unknown
Thesis Committee Member
Unknown
Abstract
Because standardized testing is the means by which most student skills are assessed, it is important to ensure that such tests are accurately portraying student abilities. In the case of standardized writing tests it has become apparent that such tests are both unreliable and invalid and the tests, are, therefore, not doing what they are intended to do. Standardized writing tests do not create typical representations of student writing and in most cases only lead to the creation of formulaic writing-the five-paragraph essay. To achieve a more reliable and accurate measure of students' abilities to write states should look to portfolio assessment, which requires students to focus more on the writing process and on creating well written products reflecting student choice.
Recommended Citation
Wright, Tracy, "Re-assessing state writing assessment" (2005). Masters Theses. 970.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/970
