The Words We Use:  A Glossary of Terms for
Early Childhood Education Standards and Assessment
STANDARDIZED TEST

» Definition
» Related Terms (Not Synonyms)
» Explanatory Comments
» Web Sources
» Other Resources















Definition

A testing instrument that is administered, scored, and interpreted in a standard manner. It may be either norm-referenced or criterion-referenced.


Related Terms (Not Synonyms)

Achievement test; Aptitude test; Criterion-referenced test; Curriculum-based test; Diagnostic test; Norm-referenced test; Readiness test; Screening test (tool, instrument)


Explanatory Comments

  • The most commonly used standardized tests are commercially developed and distributed achievement tests.
  • Since the state-led "standards" movement, some states have developed their own standardized tests to determine children's progress toward the achievement of the state's K-12 standards.
  • Standardized tests are those most commonly associated in K-12 with high-stakes consequences for children and educators.
  • Standardized tests have an important role in identifying children with disabilities and making services available to them.
  • The term standardized should not be confused with standards, a term used to refer to expectations for children's learning or the quality of schools and other programs.


Web Sources

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. (2002). A lexicon of learning: What educators mean when they say… Retrieved May 19, 2003, from http://www.ascd.org/educationnews/lexicon/s.html

ERIC Clearinghouse. (1989). A glossary of measurement terms. ERIC Digest. ED315430. Retrieved May 19, 2003, from http://ericae.net/edo/ed315430.htm


Other Resources

Gage, N.L., & Berliner, D. (1998). Educational psychology. (6th Ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Popham, W.J. (1999). Classroom assessment: What teachers need to know (2nd Ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Shepard, L.A. (1991). The influence of standardized tests on early childhood curriculum, teachers, and children. In B. Spodek & O.N. Saracho (Eds.), Issues in Early Childhood Curriculum (Yearbook in Early Childhood Education, Vol. 2). New York: Teachers College Press.


» Back to List of Terms

last updated 8/21/2009




Council of Chief State School Officers
One Massachusetts Avenue, NW · Suite 700
Washington, DC 20001-1431
voice: 202.336.7000 · fax: 202.408.8072



Printed from: http://www.ccsso.org/projects/scass/projects/early_childhood_education_assessment_consortium/publications_and_products/2926.cfm