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Validity Evidence to Support the Revision of a Licensure Assessment for Geography: A Job-Analytic Approach

Author(s):
Swiggett, Wanda D.; Tannenbaum, Richard J.; Hildebrant, Barbara; Borysewicz, Paul
Publication Year:
2011
Report Number:
RM-11-17
Source:
ETS Research Memorandum
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
36
Subject/Key Words:
Job Analysis, Licensure, Certification, Geography, Validity

Abstract

A job analysis was conducted to define knowledge/skills important for entry-level geography teachers. The results will be used to guide the development of new test content specifications for the Praxis Geography assessment. A draft domain was constructed from professional standards and existing test specifications. A national advisory committee (NAC) of geography teachers and college faculty reviewed and modified the draft domain to reflect the knowledge/skills it believed were important for safe and effective practice and needed at time of entry into the profession. The revised domain consisted of 71 statements clustered within 5 major categories: (a) Geographic Literacy and Tools, (b) Physical Geography, (c) Human Geography, (d) Regional Geography, and (e) Environment and Society. Survey responses of 344 geography educators provided independent evidence of the importance of the domain. Respondents judged each knowledge/skill statement on a scale ranging from 1 (not at all important) to 5 (extremely important). Fifty-eight knowledge/skill statements had mean ratings above 3.50 in the aggregate sample and for subgroups containing more than 30 respondents. These results indicate that 58 statements may be considered appropriate for guiding the development of new test content specifications for the Praxis Geography assessment.

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