Editing Standardized test (section)

=== Use of rubrics for fairness ===
Using a [[Rubric (academic)|rubric]] is meant to increase fairness when the test taker's performance is evaluated. In standardized testing, measurement error (a consistent pattern of errors and biases in scoring the test) is easy to determine in standardized testing. When the score depends upon the graders' individual preferences, then test takers' grades depend upon who grades the test.  

Standardized tests also remove grader bias in assessment. Research shows that teachers create a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy in their assessment of test takers, granting those they anticipate will achieve with higher scores and giving those who they expect to fail lower grades.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Lee|first1=Jussim|year=1989|title=Teacher expectations: Self-fulfilling prophecies, perceptual bias, and accuracy|journal=Journal of Personality and Social Psychology|volume=57|issue=3|pages=469–480|doi=10.1037/0022-3514.57.3.469}}</ref> In non-standardized assessment, graders have more individual discretion and therefore are more likely to produce unfair results through [[unconscious bias]].  
{| class="wikitable"
|+Sample scoring for the open-ended history question: What caused [[World War II]]?
|-
! Student answers
! Standardized grading
! Non-standardized grading
|-
|
| Grading rubric: Answers must be marked correct if they mention at least one of the following:  Germany's invasion of Poland, Japan's invasion of China, or economic issues.
| No grading standards.  Each teacher grades however he or she wants to, considering whatever factors the teacher chooses, such as the answer, the amount of effort, the student's academic background, language ability, or attitude.
|-
|''Student #1:'' WWII was caused by Hitler and Germany invading Poland in 1939.
|
''Teacher #1:'' This answer mentions one of the required items, so it is correct.<br />
''Teacher #2:''  This answer is correct. 
|
''Teacher #1:'' I feel like this answer is good enough, so I'll mark it correct. <br /> 
''Teacher #2:''  This answer is correct, but this good student should be able to do better than that, so I'll only give partial credit.
|-
|''Student #2:'' WWII was caused by multiple factors, including the Great Depression and the general economic situation, the rise of national socialism, fascism, and imperialist expansionism, and unresolved resentments related to WWI.  The war in Europe began with the German invasion of Poland.
|
''Teacher #1:'' This answer mentions one of the required items, so it is correct. <br /> 
''Teacher #2:''  This answer is correct.
|
''Teacher #1:'' I feel like this answer is correct and complete, so I'll give full credit. <br /> 
''Teacher #2:''  This answer is correct, so I'll give full points. 
|-
|''Student #3:''  WWII was caused by the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand in 1914.
|
''Teacher #1:'' This answer does not mention any of the required items. No points.<br /> 
''Teacher #2:'' This answer is wrong. No credit.
|
''Teacher #1:'' This answer is wrong. No points. <br /> 
''Teacher #2:''  This answer is wrong, but this student tried hard and the sentence is grammatically correct, so I'll give one point for effort.
|}