Questions and Responses 1. The policy has always been to release all common items. The high quality released test items and scoring guides have helped teachers understand the MEA content and serve as powerful professional development tools. We would need to be convinced of the benefits before modifying this practice. Matrix-sample items are used for equating.
Enough items are available in the matrix-sample pool of items to support the equating process.
No revision of any item being used for equating is allowed. Twelve forms of the MEA are used for all content areas assessed. You will see by examining the item specification sheet in the Bidder s Information Package that the Visual and Performing Arts assessment is significantly shorter than the Health Education test. The plan is to continue to use 12 forms of the test unless a better strategy is approved. The number of small class sizes at grade four remains a problem no matter what testing strategy is used.