TEXES Science of Teaching Reading Practice Test

What question should a principal ask to evaluate the reliability of a reading assessment based on inconsistent scores?

1. Are the tests administered in a standardized way?

2. Are the scores reliable?

3. Which criteria are measured?

4. Are the scores valid?

The correct answer is: Are the scores reliable?

To evaluate the reliability of a reading assessment characterized by inconsistent scores, it is essential to address whether the scores are consistent over time and across different testing conditions. Reliability refers to the degree to which an assessment tool produces stable and consistent results. By asking if the scores are reliable, the principal is directly targeting the root of the issue—understanding if repeated measures under similar conditions yield similar results. When scores are inconsistent, it may indicate problems with the assessment process itself, such as test administration, or it may reflect inherent variability in the students’ performance or comprehension levels. This question allows the principal to assess the overall dependability of the assessment, which is crucial for making informed decisions about instructional strategies and interventions. The other options focus on related but distinct aspects of the assessment: the standardization of administration processes, the criteria being measured, and the validity of the scores. While these are important components, they do not directly address the core issue of score inconsistency that reliability is intended to assess.