The review includes participation by various stakeholders and evaluation by independent experts. The review studies how well the system actually is aligned to standards. The review studies whether assessments assess critical thinking or the ability to engage in cognitively complex work within a subject. Reviews for assessments at grade 3 or below study whether the assessments are developmentally appropriate. Reviews study the impact of assessment programs on student progress and particularly the impact of any high stakes tests, such as high school exit exams, on graduation rates.
Reviews study the technical quality of assessments.
The state reviews local assessment practices. Reviews help guide improvements in the assessment system that will bring the program more in line with the Principles and Indicators . This page has been left blank. The FairTest evaluation focuses on the primary characteristics described below. States' scores are based primarily on their current programs, but on occasion changes that are currently being implemented were considered.