In the 2023-2024 academic year, the TeachTown Research Team partnered with subject matter experts across content areas to rigorously evaluate TeachTown Benchmark Assessments. These experts hold roles in both research-based settings and the practical application of this research in schools.
Practitioners examined every single assessment item across 190 benchmark assessments, including all three forms of each assessment. The items were analyzed for representativeness, clarity, and bias, as well as a comprehensive evaluation of the assessment as a whole. To ensure a thorough assessment, each benchmark was evaluated by 3 different experts.
The findings confirm what we’re passionate about delivering: valid assessments that special educators can trust.
TeachTown Benchmark Assessments include 190 validated assessments (average 10-15 items each) across ELA, Math, & Early Learning skills. They are available in 3 formats: printable PDFs, teacher-facilitated technology lessons, and student-led technology lessons. Each individual assessment includes 3 different formats (A, B, C) to ensure test validity as students retest on a skill over time. Benchmark assessments are designed to help you monitor your students’ progress on individual skills over time and demonstrate growth. As such, we recommend teachers administer them 3 times per school year – beginning, middle, and end.
Assessment validity means the assessment measures what it is intended to measure. For example, the assessment called Initial Sound Letter ID will yield specific data about a student’s ability to identify the beginning sound of a given word. The assessment does not also include questions about other skills. This is an intentional design – so that educators can be confident in analyzing the specific data for the specific skill at hand. In other words, teachers and administrators can be sure that TeachTown Benchmark Assessments measure exactly what they are intended to measure.
TeachTown is committed to delivering evidence-based instruction and evidence-based assessment practices. These study results reflect this commitment. Visit teachtown.com to learn more about TeachTown curriculum and assessment.