Potential Impact of Language Tests - Examining the Alignment between Testing and Instruction

High-stakes standardized tests are often used as a way to enforce educational reforms that are aimed at improving teaching and learning, and to hold stakeholders accountable for student achievement. Many assessment systems attach negative consequences to test scores including retention and loss of funding costs. Thus, teachers are forced to take measures that guarantee improvement in test scores. There is also a tendency for teachers to narrow the curriculum by only focusing on the content areas and skills that are assessed on the tests. Several studies have examined the impact that language tests have on school systems and individuals, but these studies are conducted after the tests are already operational and very few changes are made to minimize their negative effects. This book highlights the importance of anticipating the potential impact that language tests could have during the test development phase by examining the relationship between the tasks on the test and actual classroom instruction. The matches and mismatches between the tasks and classroom practices could inform test developers about changes that could be made to the tests before they become operational.