Read the scenarios below and answer the questions. You may choose to do the teacher scenario, the principal scenario, or both.

A teacher's perspective

Ms. Patton wants to identify an assessment based on which she can make inferences about students' ability to multiply. She has narrowed the choice to two different assessments she administered. The assessments were administered to all students. Below are the student results of the two different assessments on multiplication. Based on the results, which assessment should Ms. Patton use and why?

Multiplication Assessment 1
Student First Administration Second Administration
1 70 71
2 80 80
3 85 85
4 56 54
5 100 100
6 95 95
7 90 92
8 85 85
9 85 85
10 54 55
11 70 70
Multiplication Assessment 2
Student First Administration Second Administration
1 100 78
2 100 100
3 60 90
4 60 75
5 95 80
6 90 70
7 45 45
8 45 70
9 80 95
10 80 45
11 89 100
  1. Which assessment should she use?
    3. Neither. The question cannot be answered from the data provided.
    4. Both.

A principal's perspective

  1. Mrs. Brown, Ms. Patton's principal, has received complaints from parents about Ms. Patton's lack of knowledge of the mathematics content. Before becoming a principal Mrs. Brown served as a social studies teacher. In response to the complaints, she decides to arrange for three observations of Ms. Patton's teaching. The observations will be conducted by the school counselor, the math chairperson, and herself. She will use the data collected to determine if the complaints are justified. When Ms. Patton is informed of the team that will conduct the observations she is upset. Use the information provided on reliability to explain why Ms. Patton may be upset.

    Only one of the observers has a background in math. Using observers who do not have the expertise to understand the content provides inconsistencies in the observation or use of an observation instrument. These inconsistencies makes the data unreliable. The potential lack of knowledge of the observers may lead to measurement error. The principal can use others to observe but must make sure all observers are trained and understand the rating being used in the observation.