Task Module Assessment System: Project Summary
Reaching the "students in the gap" through web-based task module assessments
TMAS: Reaching Students in the Gap, is a US Department of Education funded project that seeks to increase knowledge and understanding of gaps in state large scale assessment systems through research studies in four New England states. The project has identified the following goals:
- Goal 1: Define common criteria across the four Compact states for identifying students in the gap.
- Goal 2: Plan, conceptualize, and develop task module assessment strategies, and examine validity and reliability.
- Goal 3: Based on study findings, conceptualize and recommend core components of an assessment structure that would lessen the gaps in the assessment system and allow more students to effectively demonstrate what they know and can do.
- Goal 4: Disseminate products to others considering assessments for students in the gap.
In order to more effectively implement the program goals, the TMAS project has chosen to focus its research and development efforts on eighth grade mathematics. Thus, each of the research studies and assessment strategies addresses the eighth grade mathematics grade level expectations.