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Examining Item Readability of the Science TNReady Compared to the Science TCAP

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Title: Examining Item Readability of the Science TNReady Compared to the Science TCAP
Language: English
Authors: Emily Tucker
Source: ProQuest LLC. 2021Ph.D. Dissertation, Capella University.
Availability: ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 97
Publication Date: 2021
Document Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Elementary Education
Descriptors: Science Tests, Standardized Tests, Achievement Tests, Readability, Elementary School Students, Difficulty Level, Academic Standards, Readability Formulas, Test Items, Sentences, Scores, Test Validity
Geographic Terms: Tennessee
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program
ISSN: 5825-7705
ISBN: 979-85-8257-705-8
Abstract: To better understand Tennessee's new standardized science assessments, this quantitative study utilized a nonexperimental, descriptive-comparative design to compare the readability of the long-used science TCAP assessment with the newly created science TNReady assessment in grades three, four, and five. As new standards in the state boast higher text complexity in all content areas, it is important to determine if the tests used to assess these standards also increase in text complexity. Beyond comparing the long-used science TCAP to the new science TNReady, this study also compared the readability of the currently utilized TNReady to the average grade-level reading ability of its intended audience. Across America, states are creating new science assessments to meet higher standards, but there is little research on their readability. This study helps to fill this gap in research by comparing the readability scores of the most recently released TCAP science questions from the year 2016 and the most recently released TNReady science questions from the year 2018. The Hewitt and Homan Readability Formula was used to measure the readability of each sentence in each test item. These readability scores were then compared using an independent samples t-test to determine if there is a statistically significant difference between the readability of the items on each test. Results show that while the new science TNReady assessment does not have a significantly higher readability score than science the TCAP, there is a major discrepancy in the readability of the currently utilized science TNReady when compared to its intended audience in grades 3 and 4. The discrepancy in readability provides cause to delve deeper into the validity of these newly released assessments in Tennessee. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Access URL: https://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqm&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:28319869
Accession Number: ED655031
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Examining Item Readability of the Science TNReady Compared to the Science TCAP
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  Data: To better understand Tennessee's new standardized science assessments, this quantitative study utilized a nonexperimental, descriptive-comparative design to compare the readability of the long-used science TCAP assessment with the newly created science TNReady assessment in grades three, four, and five. As new standards in the state boast higher text complexity in all content areas, it is important to determine if the tests used to assess these standards also increase in text complexity. Beyond comparing the long-used science TCAP to the new science TNReady, this study also compared the readability of the currently utilized TNReady to the average grade-level reading ability of its intended audience. Across America, states are creating new science assessments to meet higher standards, but there is little research on their readability. This study helps to fill this gap in research by comparing the readability scores of the most recently released TCAP science questions from the year 2016 and the most recently released TNReady science questions from the year 2018. The Hewitt and Homan Readability Formula was used to measure the readability of each sentence in each test item. These readability scores were then compared using an independent samples t-test to determine if there is a statistically significant difference between the readability of the items on each test. Results show that while the new science TNReady assessment does not have a significantly higher readability score than science the TCAP, there is a major discrepancy in the readability of the currently utilized science TNReady when compared to its intended audience in grades 3 and 4. The discrepancy in readability provides cause to delve deeper into the validity of these newly released assessments in Tennessee. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 97
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Science Tests
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Standardized Tests
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Achievement Tests
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Readability
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      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Difficulty Level
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Standards
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      – SubjectFull: Readability Formulas
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      – SubjectFull: Test Items
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      – SubjectFull: Sentences
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      – SubjectFull: Scores
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      – SubjectFull: Test Validity
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      – SubjectFull: Tennessee
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program
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    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Examining Item Readability of the Science TNReady Compared to the Science TCAP
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