The development process may include the following activities:
Test objectives that define the
content of each test are prepared
for fields under development.
The objectives are broad statements
of subject matter knowledge and skills that are
important for entry-level teaching in Massachusetts schools.
The draft objectives
are based on sources including
the state's educator licensing regulations and standards within the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks. The draft objectives
are reviewed and approved by committees
of Massachusetts PreK–12 educators
and higher education faculty.
The Objective Review Conference
is typically a
The purpose of the Massachusetts Content Validation Survey is to obtain judgments from Massachusetts educators about the importance of each objective for entry-level teaching in Massachusetts public schools; Massachusetts public school educators, arts and sciences/fine arts faculty, and educator preparation faculty are asked to participate in the survey.
Test questions ("test items") are prepared based on the validated test objectives and
other relevant materials obtained from the advisory committees of Massachusetts educators and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education (the Department). Draft test questions are reviewed and
approved by committees of Massachusetts public school educators
and faculty members at Massachusetts higher education institutions. The Item Review Conference can be a one- or
Test questions are pilot tested to gather information about their quality and technical characteristics. The pilot test provides educator candidates and other individuals at Massachusetts higher education institutions the opportunity to respond to test items that may be included on future tests.
Content Advisory Committee members convene to review and identify a set of responses for the test field that will serve as "markers," or examples, of the points on the MTEL scoring scale. As approved by the Department, Evaluation Systems uses the marker responses identified by MTEL marker response committees during scorer orientation for operational scoring.
Information about the MTEL can be found on the MTEL website
.
A qualifying score meeting typically occurs shortly after the first administration of the test. At this meeting, Massachusetts educators review results of the test administration and provide the Department with input for setting the qualifying score for the test. The Qualifying Score Conference is typically a one-day meeting.
Bias Review Committee members are a diverse group of current and exemplary educators who represent individuals with disabilities and/or the racial, gender, ethnic, and regional diversity of Massachusetts.
Bias Review Committee members convene to review draft test materials, including test objectives and test items, and make recommendations that will help prevent potential bias that would disadvantage a person because of her or his gender, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, or cultural, economic or geographic background. These are typically one- or two-day meetings held just before the Objective Review and Item Review Conferences.
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