Harcourt Assessment Introduces End-of-Course Array™
New solution offers benchmarking and summative assessments for high school courses.
San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) October 17, 2007
Leading test publisher Harcourt Assessment today introduced End-of-Course Array™ (EOC Array™), an assessment solution providing benchmarking and summative assessments for five separate high school courses including algebra 1, algebra 2, geometry, biology and chemistry. EOC Array™ is currently available in a national edition, based on national consensus standards, with state-specific versions currently under development for multiple states.
"Research shows that students who are held accountable through end-of-course testing not only have improved test scores, but place one-half of a grade level ahead in math and science," said Harcourt Assessment Senior Director of Accountability Testing Deloris Flint. "Using EOC Array™, teachers provide this accountability while using benchmarking to generate the data necessary to truly drive instruction and maximize student learning."
Since districts' needs and usage vary, the EOC Array™ item bank was designed to be comprehensive and flexible. The items included with EOC Array™ are aligned to national consensus standards, a set of course-based standards that integrate national standards and any additional standards necessary for a complete course. Within each course the items address the breadth and depth of each standard including appropriate cognitive levels necessary to help a student become proficient in that standard. To provide teachers and administrators with additional flexibility, tests can be easily created online at the classroom, school or district levels and shared across the district if desired. This allows district to customize the assessments to match district needs and pacing guides. As an added convenience, districts may also contract Harcourt Assessment to develop EOC Array™ assessments that align with district guidelines or blueprints.
The large number of quality items available for each course provides teachers and administrators with many options for using EOC Array™. . Districts, schools and/or teachers can create a comprehensive assessment plan for their courses by using the items to create periodic, benchmark and summative end-of-course assessments. Items not used for these assessments can then be integrated into everyday instruction to help teachers continuously monitor student achievement and make informed instructional decisions to maximize student learning.
The new EOC Array™ includes the following features:
Assessments available for online administration and print-on-demand from the software platform for paper/pencil testing Immediate scoring online or scanning functionality for paper/pencil tests Keyboard entry of answer choices available Integration with iRespond wireless handheld personal response devices to provide real-time data for students and teachers. A flexible item bank of 700-1000 items available for each course. Item banking flexibility allowing test forms to be created at the district, school or classroom level. Extensive reporting capabilities in PDF and dynamic online formats at the student, class, school and district levels - including: Gain and Standard Analysis, Multi-Measures, Item Analysis, Proficiency, Grouping and Lists Reporting Multiple choice and constructed response items.
Using high-quality, reliable items aligned to national consensus standards, EOC Array™ enables educators to evaluate student mastery of subjects and measure student achievement with more accuracy.
For more information on EOC Array™, visit http://www. EOCarray. com (http://www. EOCarray. com).
About Harcourt Assessment, Inc.
Based in San Antonio, Harcourt Assessment, Inc. is a leading provider of high-quality assessment instruments and testing programs published under two brand names -- Harcourt Assessment and The Psychological Corporation. For more than 85 years, Harcourt Assessment and The Psychological Corporation have been providing insight about children and adults; informing instruction, curricula, and clinical practice; collaborating with educators and clinical professionals; assisting human resources, admissions and credential professionals; and creating assessment innovations, in order to provide the most effective assessment solutions for the success of all individuals.
The company is a unit of Harcourt Education, a global education provider serving students and teachers in PreK through grade 12, adult learners, and readers of all ages. Harcourt Education is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc. (www. reedelsevier. com), a world-leading publisher and information provider. It is owned equally by Reed Elsevier PLC (NYSE: RUK) and Reed Elsevier NV (NYSE: ENL).
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