Aligning the Basal Curriculum and Assessment in Elementary Mathematics: The Exploratory Development of Curriculum-Valid Tests

Abstract

The purpose of the present investigation was to develop curriculum-valid mathematics survey tests based on an analysis of district adopted basal mathematics curriculum material. We describe a taxonomy of curriculum analysis that was beneficial, in part, in item creation and test construction. Test items were selected to accurately represent the curriculum. The survey test was piloted with a group of 240 students each in Grades 3, 4, and 5 of six schools. A second, parallel test was developed and administered to the same group approximately six months later. Test results were reported to teachers as student and item information. Implications for future assessment research and practice involving students with learning difficulties are also discussed.