| The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of Grade 10 science exams administered in 2006 and 2007 in a school division in the province of Manitoba. Over 1300 hundred grade 10 science students from five high schools participated in the study. The data was gathered from a secondary analysis of exam results using ExamSystem II software.In all respects, the standardized exams in the school division are viewed by the teachers, administrators, students, parents, and trustees as being an effective accountability instrument that provides reliable and valid information. There is, in addition, considerable evidence that these exams are important in developing divisional policies about the evaluation of students, and it is recommended that other divisions consider developing similar policies and procedures for assessing their students.A review of the examination policies in the division suggest the purpose of the grade 10 science exams did not change during the 2006 and 2007 testing years. In addition, a number of statistical analyses of the items in the four examinations showed that they were very similar in all four testing periods. The statistical analyses of the exams suggest that the change in the exam development process from 2006 to 2007 did not affect the quality of the exam or the achievement of the students. Finally, the analyses of the students' test scores suggest that the type of invigilation practice did not affect student achievement. |
