CST Social Science Test

California Standards Test- Social Science Grade 8: 

California Standards Test- Social Science Grade 8 Katherine Jamreonvit Azusa Pacific University EDCO 534

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Author and Publisher : California Department of Education and Educational Testing Service Testing Publication Date: 2010 (new tests are published each year)

Facts: 

Facts The CST- Social Science Grade 8 Test is one of the 38 tests that forms the cornerstone of the STAR assessment program used by the State of California. Scores on the CST tests are used to determine whether schools are meeting the AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) Goals as well as to measure their API (Academic Performance Index).

Questions: 

Questions 80 questions, 2 parts A few sample questions from previously released tests: How did the rise to power and reign of Alexander most affect Greece? A He established a peaceful relationship with the Persian Empire. B He strengthened greatly the concept of democratic rule. C He made Macedonia into the intellectual center of the Hellenistic world. D He ended the power of the city-states and established a unified nation.

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The origins of checks and balances in the U.S. political system can be traced to the A French monarchy. B Roman Republic. C Greek aristocracy. D Aztec Empire.

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The Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations each developed A powerful seafaring traditions. B monotheistic religious systems. C democratic governments. D complex architectural structures. http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/documents/rtqgr8history.pdf Follow the link below to see more test questions and the content standards for Social Science Grades 6-8.

Reliability and Validity: 

Reliability and Validity The reliability coefficient for the CST- Social Science Grade 8 Test is .94. Validity measures for the test include: the correlation between the test content and the state standards it tests, a Differential Item Functioning Analysis (where test questions and responses are compared against demographic groups), and inter-correlations between a student’s other content area tests.

Administration: 

Administration Teachers at each school site generally administer the CST-Social Science Grade 8 Test. Each teacher must be trained in the administration procedures and must follow a scripted text in order to administer the test. The test is given in a group setting. Multiple Choice, paper test

Scoring: 

Scoring Raw Score: The sum of the score on the multiple choice questions. Reporting Clusters: The test items are grouped into reporting clusters. A student is given a sub score in each reporting cluster. Scaled Score: Each raw score is converted to a scaled score between 150-600 and assigned a proficiency level (Far Below Basic, Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, or Advanced). The score needed to achieve the basic level is 300, and the proficiency level is 350.

Limitations: 

Limitations Score Comparison - Scores can only be compared within the same content area and grade level. Out of level testing - All students must take the CSTs at their enrolled grade level, despite any designation as Special Education, ELL, etc.

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Multi-year Test : The CST- Social Science Grade 8 Test is administered in May of a student’s eighth grade year. However, the test measures content standards from grades 6-8. This multi-year testing design is unique only to the Social Science Grade 8 Test. All other CST tests measure a student’s performance on material learned within that year. This design has a tendency to make it difficult to determine a student’s proficiency in social science each year.

Strengths: 

Strengths Measures student achievement in content area directly tied to state standards Easily administered to large groups of students Easily scored