Reporting Test Results in Education

Introduction

In this entry we shall discuss both how test reports are currently reported as well as enumerating steps that might be taken to improve reporting still further. To the extent that space allows I will try to show rather than tell, although a combination will be used when that seems helpful. I will span three situations for which test results are reported. These are:

• (i)
  results that are reported to an individual examinee,
• (ii)
  results that are reported to an institution,
• (iii)
  results that are reported for a state or nation.

While all of these situations share a number of common aspects, there is also enough that is unique to justify separate treatment. I shall begin with a statement of purpose, then examine the extent to which these purposes ...