Language Tests for Social Cohesion and Citizenship

Issues of Quality AssuranceAn Outline for Policy Makers and Test Developers

Henk KuijperALTE Authoring Group

Political and Social Issues

What use will be made of the test results? What will be the impact for the migrant? What will be the consequences of a test on

society? Is it more appropriate to use another form of

assessment, rather than a test? Could it be appropriate to use several

methods of assessment at the same time?

Use of the Tests Results

Facilitating Sanctioning

Use of the test language proficiency based on individual needs

fixed language level proficiency

Impact for migrant improving language proficiency to function in society

civil rights consequencesfinancial consequencespossible exclusion

Consequences for society

inclusion of immigrantsusing human resources

possible exclusion of groupslimitation of using human resources

Test format can be more flexible has to be similar for all migrants (equality)

Issues of Validity and Reliability

Validity: what is to be assessed and do tests reflect this aims

Reliability: are the tests reliable to measure these aims precisely

To ensure fairness for candidates

Validity Issues: what is to be assessed

Determining test purpose and real work demands on test takers

Determining linguistic demands Determining the appropriate level of

difficulty Producing test specifications

Reliability Issues

Test format Item writing Pretesting Test administration Marking and grading Data analysis Monitoring bias Candidates with special

requirements

Main Issues

Policymakers and test developers and are responsible for

The use of language tests and their purposes The content, validity and reliability of language tests Achieving high test standards Being aware of and coping with conflicting purposes of the tests Questioning if even highest quality tests can compensate for

the conflicting purposes tests are used for (impact for individuals and society)

At all times test fairness should be considered of prime importance