K-12 Student Assessment
Most jurisdictions (countries, provinces/states) have either implemented large-scale student assessment programs or are considering initiating them. Typically, these programs are established for public accountability and/or improvement purposes. Schools, school districts and departments of education use the data and information from these assessments to report on the effectiveness of the education systems and to help students be more successful in their learning. Examples of large-scale assessments include:
- Learning assessment programs in which students are assessed by common instruments at given grades or ages and in specific subjects, often reading, writing and mathematics and
- Certification tests in examinable subjects that students must pass in order to graduate or move to a higher academic level.
Licensure Examinations
In many fields (e.g., nursing, counselling, insurance and physiotherapy), candidates must successfully take licensure examinations (that assess the knowledge, skills and abilities to provide effective services) before they are able to practice.
Dr. Jones has served in various capacities in large-scale assessment, including consulting with jurisdictions/organizations on different aspects of assessment, conducting reviews of assessment programs and being involved in the design and implementation of the programs. Consultation on best practices is available on the following topics:
- Optional Approaches to Assessment
- Framework Documents
- Test Blueprints/Specifications
- Item and Test Development Processes
- Administration Procedures
- Quality Assurance
- Scoring Methodologies
- Standard Setting
- Data Analysis and Reporting Approaches
RMJ Assessment and partnering consultants have extensive experience with both paper- and computer-based assessment models. All large-scale assessment consulting work, performed by the firm, is guided by standards of best practice, including Principles for Fair Student Assessment Practices for Education in Canada (Joint Advisory Committee, Centre for Research in Applied Measurement and Evaluation, University of Alberta, 1993) and Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association and National Council on Measurement in Education, 2014). In addition, the company’s approach to delivering services is informed by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 codes and standards for quality management systems requirements.
RMJ ASSESSMENT 