How the Assessments Were Developed

The synopsis that follows describes the rigorous process that was used to carefully develop each test in the Indiana CORE Assessments for Educator Licensure program.

1. Develop the Assessment Blueprints/Frameworks

For tests developed prior to Fall 2020

The content of each assessment is documented in the assessment blueprint. The REPA Indiana Educator Standards form the basis of each assessment blueprint. An assessment blueprint is divided into content domains. A content domain contains one or more objectives, each corresponding to one or more of the Indiana Educator Standards for that field. Each objective is further defined by a set of essential elements of knowledge that together articulate the knowledge and skills measured by the test questions associated with that objective. The assessment blueprint also provides information on the relative weighting that will be applied to each content domain. The Indiana Department of Education reviewed and approved the assessment blueprint for each field.

For Fall 2020 updated tests

The content of each updated test is documented in the framework. The framework consists of domains that include a set of objectives, along with a set of descriptive statements that further elaborate the knowledge and skills measured by the test questions associated with that objective. During preparation of the framework, the REPA Indiana Educator Standards and key state and national documents were consulted. Fairness and Content Advisory Committees, comprised of Indiana educators, reviewed the frameworks and recommended revisions, if necessary, to ensure that the framework is accurate, free of bias, job related, and important for performing the job of an educator in Indiana.

The framework is closely aligned with the associated revised set of Indiana REPA Educator Standards. Like the framework, the REPA standards define the knowledge and skills that an educator needs to know and be able to do in order to provide effective instruction in Indiana classrooms. However, while the standards are designed to serve as a general guide for preparing educators for Indiana classrooms, the framework describes the content that will be measured on the test. Reflecting these different purposes, the REPA standards are a broad, high-level summary of the content and content-specific pedagogical knowledge expected of Indiana classroom educators, while the framework goes into much greater depth and detail regarding the specific content that will be measured on the test.

2. Develop Draft Test Items

Next, test items were developed to assess the content defined by the assessment blueprints. Content specialists, item development specialists, content and bias reviewers, and psychometricians were involved in developing test items for the Indiana CORE Assessments for Educator Licensure program.

3. Indiana Review and Validation of Draft Test Items

Indiana teachers and teacher educators participated in the review and validation of draft test items for the program. An Indiana Bias Review Committee (BRC) reviewed test items for potential bias and inclusion of diversity. Indiana Content Advisory Committees (CAC) reviewed and revised items, if needed, to ensure that the test items are accurate, appropriate, free from bias, and job-related. Items approved by the review committees were validated by Indiana teachers and teacher educators.

4. Pilot Test Items

Reviewed and validated test items were pilot tested to determine if they have acceptable statistical and qualitative characteristics to include on operational test forms.

5. Indiana Standard Setting

Panels of Indiana teachers and teacher educators met and provided standard setting recommendations for each test. The recommendations made by each panel were provided to the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE). The SBOE established the passing score for each test.