| The purpose of this study was to identify the standard-setting methodologies used by the State Departments of Education to set the cut scores for the initial teacher licensing exams in each of the 50 states. It is the responsibility of any state using teacher testing for initial licensure to establish cut scores that are fair and appropriate. Cut scores may be set using one of a number of methods. Responsibility for establishing the cut scores rests with many. State Departments of Education, boards of trustees, colleges, universities, teachers and educational specialists, parents, and citizens may all be involved in one way or another with setting minimum competency standards.; Agencies responsible for certification and licensing for the 50 State Departments of Education were contacted for information about the method of standard setting used to establish cut scores for initial teacher testing. Although there is no one universally accepted method of standard setting, the results of this study report that the modified Tucker/Angoff method of standard setting was identified as the most often used procedure. Called the Modified/Angoff, Angoff, and Tucker/Angoff, this approach was identified as the standard setting method selected in 100% of the states responding to the research inquiry. The Benchmark and Pass/Fail Methods were additionally used to set standards on the composition sections of some exams.; Not all State Departments of Education responded to inquiries but the findings of this study should still be useful to those State Departments of Education needing procedural directives for determining a cut score. |
