Test Preparation:
Considering the Appropriateness of these Activities

A Professional Development Module for Iowa Educators

The appropriateness of a given test-preparation activity is not solely determined by whether or not it could be construed as “cheating” or the “misrepresentation of student achievement.” This criterion is actually part of a broader one dealing with academic ethics. In addition to academic ethics, two other criteria should be considered when evaluating the appropriateness of using a particular test-preparation activity—score meaning & use, and educational value.

These three criteria—academic ethics, score meaning & use, and educational value—are interrelated. Thus, if a test-preparation activity fails to meet one of these criteria, in most cases the activity would fail to meet the others as well. But because the “problems” associated with particular test-preparation activities are not always easily identified, it is useful to consider these criteria in a stepwise fashion, starting with the most easily recognizable problems and then moving to the more complex and somewhat fuzzy issues. That is, first determine if the action results in a violation of academic ethics. If there is no apparent violation, then consider if the action might compromise the meaning and use of the scores. If the meaning and use of the scores would not be compromised, then determine if there is any educational value gained in using the activity. If there is educational value, the final consideration is to determine if the educational opportunities being gained by using the activity outweigh those that are lost.

This stepwise process has been summarized in the figure below and is being used as the framework for the remaining portion of this part of the module. These three criteria will be presented one at a time, and will examine the types of factors that should be considered when determining if the criteria have been satisfied. In addition, the potential negative consequences associated with the use of a particular activity that does not adhere to one or more of these three criteria will be identified.