Validation studies of reading and mathematics tests
Client: Renaissance Learning | NFER Contact: Marian Sainsbury
Renaissance Learning launched two products, STAR reading and STAR maths, in the UK in 2007 for pupils aged from 6 to 14. Before the launch, they required validation studies to establish their relationship to UK curricula and tests already established in the UK. The validation studies took two forms:
- judgmental reviews of the US-originated material to establish that the content was relevant to UK curricula in terms of content, social contexts and terminology
- equating studies linking the Renaissance Learning tests to recognised UK tests, Progress in Maths 6-14 and the Suffolk Reading Scale.
The judgmental review recommended changes to the US material. The changes were incorporated into the STAR tests for the UK launch. The equating studies established correlations between the STAR tests and the UK tests. Both tests correlated well with teacher assessment levels. In addition, the STAR reading tests were related to reading ages (from the Suffolk Reading Scale) and the STAR maths tests correlated strongly with National Curriculum levels given in the Progress in Maths tests.
Timescale: March 2006 - March 2007
NFER Project Code: REV
Research report/findings