The importance of appropriate interpretation and use of assessment results

Source: Journal of Reading, Vol. 35, No. 5 (Feb., 1992), p. 407

Published by: Wiley on behalf of the International Reading Association
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 §
The importance of appropriate interpretation
and use of assessment results
Whereas. ..the International Reading Association recognizes that one valid purpose for assessment is
monitoring the outcomes of instruction at the level of the school, the community, the state or province, or the
nation, and that a second valid, and distinct, purpose for assessment is to provide input information to the
teacher and the pupil for the guidance and improvement of instruction and learning, and
Whereas. ..large scale assessments for the purpose of monitoring outcomes and classroom assessments for
the guidance and improvement of instruction and learning, presently require different approaches and
techniques appropriate to the needs of those who use assessment results, and
Whereas. ..large scale assessments do not address the question of how to improve teaching and learning and
because such data are subject to misinterpretation and error when applied to small groups or individuals. Be
it therefore

RESOLVED that users of assessment results recognize the importance of considering a variety of observa-
tions, procedures, and instruments; be it further
RESOLVED that users of assessment results take into account the specific purposes for which assessments
are made and the settings in which assessments are conducted; be it further

RESOLVED that where large scale assessments are conducted for the purpose of monitoring outcomes
results should not be reported for individual pupils, classes, or schools.

(Text of an International Reading Association Resolution on Literacy Assessment, one of four adopted by the
1991 Delegates Assembly.)

§
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407

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