Guillermo Solano-Flores, PhD - Stanford University

Developing Methodologies for the Fair Testing of Linguistically Diverse Populations: Problems and Solutions (57 mn.) LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the multidisciplinary approaches intended to promote fair testing for English learners (ELs). 2. Identify the effective approaches to addressing linguistic heterogeneity in testing requires a shift toward probabilistic reasoning about language and linguistic groups. 3.Describe the notion of cultural validity and with the use of generalizability theory in the estimation of error in testing due to language factors. 4. Explain the application of social semiotics in the design of testing accommodations and accessibility resources for ELs. ABSTRACT: This introductory-level presentation will discuss emerging methodologies that address the intersection of culture, language, and testing as critical to fairly assessing students classified as English learners (ELs). These new developments build on current knowledge from the fields of psychometrics, sociolinguistics, socio-cultural theory, and social semiotics. They include the notion of cultural validity as a form of validity that examines ways in which culture influences students interpretations of test items, and the use of generalizability theory (a psychometric theory of measurement error) to estimate the magnitude of measurement error that is due to language factors. These new developments also include the systematic use of a probabilistic reasoning about language and linguistic groups as critical to addressing the heterogeneity of EL populations and the use of social semiotics as key to examining ways of representing information in tests using multiple modalities through different forms of accommodations and accessibility resources. (2019 - 57 minutes) BIOGRAPHY: Dr. Guillermo Solano-Flores is Professor of Education at the Stanford University Graduate School of Education. He specializes in educational assessment and the linguistic and cultural issues that are relevant to both international test comparisons and the testing of cultural and linguistic minorities. He has conducted research on the development, translation, localization, and review of science and mathematics tests. He has been principal investigator in several National Science Foundation-funded projects that have examined the intersection of psychometrics, semiotics, and linguistics in testing. He is the author of the theory of test translation error, which addresses testing across cultures and languages. He has also investigated the use of generalizability theory, a psychometric theory of measurement error, in the testing of English learners and indigenous populations. He has advised Latin American countries on the development of national assessment systems and has served as an advisor to countries in Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Northern Africa on the adaptation and translation of performance tasks into multiple languages. Current research projects examine academic language and testing, formative assessment practices for culturally diverse science classrooms, and the design and use of illustrations in international test comparisons and in the testing of English learners. USER RATINGS: 3.5 out of 5 STARS (21) American Psychological Association (APA) Buros Center for Testing is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Buros Center for Testing maintains responsibility for this program and its content. National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Buros Center for Testing is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Buros Center for Testing maintains responsibility for this program and its content. (Provider #1113) New York State Education Department (NYSED) Buros Center for Testing, University of Nebraska-Lincoln is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0187. There is no known commercial support for this program. INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPLEMENTS PROVIDED WHEN PURCHASED FOR A COURSE: PowerPoint slides References/additional readings Comprehension quiz with answer key Discussion questions Timestamps for presentation content For a brief preview of this video, click link below.