Recruiting New Fairness Members for Ohio's State Tests
The Office of Curriculum & Assessment is currently
recruiting new members for the Fairness/Sensitivity Committees (FSC) involved
in the development of Ohio’s State Tests. These three committees (one each at
grades 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12) review all draft test questions for all subjects: English
language arts (ELA), mathematics, science, and social studies in grades 3
through high school. The FSC review ensures
that items do not disadvantage groups of students because of their race, ethnicity,
gender or disability (fairness). The review also ensures that diverse cultures
are represented in assessments (sensitivity).
Each FSC is composed of a variety of educators, parents and
community members who represent the diversity of Ohio’s student population who
take the Ohio state tests. Having members who are familiar with the broad range
of Ohio’s students is a critical component of this representation.
The FSC review is a very important quality control check
before test questions are field tested. Each FSC will review hundreds of draft
test questions – typically at one annual meeting of three to five days in the
summer.
A member of an FSC needs to be able to work collaboratively
with other educators, parents and community members from across the state, from
a variety of backgrounds, with a diversity of perspectives. All members bring some
content knowledge to the committee (ELA, mathematics, science or social
studies) – but must resist the tendency to become involved with the content of
the test questions. At the same time, a member must bring the confidence to
review test questions that may be beyond their content familiarity. Other
assessment committees are tasked with checking the content of the items. The
FSC review needs to stay focused on using Fairness and Sensitivity guidelines
to review for any bias in the items.
Membership in an FSC is a significant commitment. Members
are expected to attend meetings regularly. Most years, the FSC meets once, but
potentially the committee could be convened if emergency test development is
required. The committee also meets after spring testing to review field test questions that have been
identified statistically as potentially biased. Committee meetings are held in
Columbus and members who need to drive more than 45 miles are provided hotel accommodations.
Members are reimbursed for mileage. Members also receive a daily stipend when
meetings are held in the summer (non-paid work days). When meetings are held
during the school year, districts are reimbursed the cost of hiring substitute
teachers, as needed.
If you are interested and would like to discuss this
opportunity further, please contact Tom Bulgrin in the Office of Assessment at 614-752-4875
or tom.bulgrin@education.ohio.gov.
If you know someone who may be
interested, please feel free to share this information and Tom’s contact.
Thanks you in advance for your consideration.
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