The development process may include the following activities:
Test frameworks—sets of objectives that define the content of each test—are prepared for fields under development. The objectives are broad statements of knowledge and skills that are important for performing the job of an educator in Minnesota public schools. The draft frameworks are based on sources including Minnesota and national standards for each field. The draft frameworks are reviewed and approved by committees of Minnesota public school educators and educator preparation faculty. The Framework Review Conference is typically a one-day meeting.
The purpose of the content validation survey is to ensure that the objectives identified for each field represent important aspects of the field and are consistent with the practice of Minnesota public school educators. Public school educators throughout Minnesota and faculty in educator preparation programs are asked to participate in the survey.
Test questions are prepared based on the validated frameworks and other relevant materials obtained from Minnesota educators. Draft test questions are reviewed and approved by the committees of Minnesota public school educators and educator preparation faculty. The Item Review Conference is a one- to- two-day meeting.
Test questions are field tested to gather information about their quality and technical characteristics. The field test provides teacher candidates and other individuals at Minnesota institutions the opportunity to prepare for future tests.
Content Advisory Committee members convene to review and approve exemplary responses to constructed-response assignments. These responses will serve as "score-point markers" for training scorers to accurately score test takers' responses. The Marker Response Selection Meeting is typically a one-day meeting.
The schedule and other information for MTLE test administrations can be found on the MTLE Web site at www.mtle.nesinc.com .
A passing score review meeting typically occurs shortly after the first administration of the test. At this meeting, educators participate in a process of making judgments and recommendations regarding a passing score for the test to Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. The Passing Score Review meeting is typically a one-day meeting.
Educators convene to review draft test materials, including test objectives and test items, for bias prevention and the inclusion of diversity in test materials. These are typically one- or two-day meetings held just before the content review meetings.
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