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<section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="7-204" title_number="7" title_name="Public Schools" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Evaluation and Graduation of Students">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Criterion-referenced test” means a measuring instrument that meets common standards or criteria including validity, reliability, objectivity, efficiency, and usefulness.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>“Measurement” means a procedure for determining quantity.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>“Standardized test” means a measuring instrument that:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Is designed to measure important common outcomes of representative courses of study;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Is administered according to specific detailed directions prescribed in a manual;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Is scored by an objective procedure;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Provides norms for comparison of individual scores with representative group scores; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>Provides information needed for judging the value of the test.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>“Test” means a method, technique, or instrument that measures the amount, status, or level of progress achieved toward an instructional objective.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>“Test objectivity” means a set of conditions leading to standard procedure and interpretation, and the elimination of all elements of personal bias.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>“Test reliability” means the consistency with which a test can be trusted to give the same or similar scores or descriptions of behaviors at different times.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="8">
      <text>“Test validity” means the extent to which an appraisal technique actually measures the element it is designed to measure.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The State Board shall conduct a comprehensive, in-depth assessment of State mandated testing and measurement programs.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The assessment shall include for each State mandated testing or measurement program an evaluation of:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Costs of materials for administering the testing and measurement programs;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The efficiency and effectiveness of the testing and measurement programs;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Administrative procedures and costs associated with the testing and measurement programs;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Allocation of time devoted to testing and measurement; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>Methods for scoring and utilization of test results.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The assessment shall include an analysis of the validity, reliability, and objectivity of all testing and measurement instruments including:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Standardized tests;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Criterion-referenced tests; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>The functional testing program established under § 7-203 of this subtitle.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>For any test instrument authorized for use in a State mandated testing and measurement program, the Board shall recommend procedures and standards for determining test validity, test reliability, and test objectivity.</text>
  </level>
</section>
