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Computer-Based vs. Paper-and-Pencil Tests: Are Results Equivalent?

Despite the growing popularity of computer-based testing at all education levels, there are still unanswered questions about whether scores generated by computer-based tests are comparable to those of paper-and-pencil tests. At a meeting last week of the American Educational Research Association in San Antonio, Texas, AAAS Project 2061 researchers presented findings from their study comparing student performance on science tests administered in paper-and-pencil and computer-based formats.The study examined test results for more than 33,000 students in grades 4 through 12. Read the study paper hereEducation Week also highlighted the study’s findings in its “Curriculum Matters” blog

Findings from another Project 2061 study were also presented last week at a meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, also in San Antonio. The Project 2061 research team reported on their efforts to develop a set of assessment instruments that can measure growth in students' understanding of a range of energy concepts from 4th to 12th grade. Read the paper here