Development and validation of an instrument for assessment literacy of mathematics teachers

• Applicant: Professor Dirk Richter, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: General and Domain-Specific Teaching and Learning
• Term: from 2015 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 273342462

External school achievement tests provide teachers with assessment data that can be used to evaluate instruction and to develop adaptive learning opportunities for students. The use of this data requires teachers to be able to interpret statistical information and draw conclusions for the improvement of instructions. This aspect of professional competence is referred to as assessment literacy. The research project aims to develop a cognitive test for assessment literacy of mathematics teachers that distinguishes three levels: 1) noticing data, 2) interpreting data and 3) constructing implications for instruction. These levels will be operationalized with test items and piloted with a group of teachers. After the test development, a validation study with mathematics teachers in Berlin and Brandenburg will be conducted. This study will examine different aspects of validity including content, construct, and criterion validity. The results of this project contribute to a better theoretical and empirical understand-ing of assessment literacy of teachers. The resulting test instrument can be used for diagnosing and developing teachers' professional competence within intervention studies.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants