Methods and Study Overview
As outlined above, this project sought to answer these key questions:
•
What are best practices in the selection and implementation of interim and benchmark assessments?
•
How do districts in Tennessee use data from interim and benchmark assessments to drive instruction and strategic
decisions?
•
What challenges do district leaders, principals, and teachers face with assessments?
•
What type of interim assessments (vendor, subject area, grade level, etc.) are districts in Tennessee currently
implementing and for what purpose?
•
How do districts select interim and benchmark assessments? What processes exist at the district level to select and
evaluate interim assessments?
•
How much time do students spend taking assessments in Tennessee?
To inform these questions, SCORE, in collaboration with the Tennessee Department of Education and other key partners
throughout the state, developed and administered online surveys to teachers, principals, and school district leaders. SCORE
also conducted a series of semi-structured interviews and focus groups.
Teacher Survey
The teacher survey instrument was designed to collect information in four key areas: (1) the amount of time spent on
assessments in Tennessee; (2) the amount of time spent preparing for assessments in Tennessee; (3) the usefulness of data
from interim and summative assessments; and (4) top challenges faced with assessments. The survey was administered in
spring 2015 and all teachers in the state were invited by email to participate. SCORE sent two follow-up emails to all teachers
in the state two weeks and four weeks after the survey was initially shared with teachers. A total of 13,057 teachers, or 20.3
percent of those eligible, responded to the survey. Appendix A contains a full version of the survey instrument.
Principal Survey
The principal survey instrument was designed to collect information in six key areas: (1) the amount of time spent on
assessment; (2) the amount of time spent preparing for assessment; (3) concerns heard from teachers and parents related
to assessment; (4) top challenges faced with assessment; (5) the purposes of assessment in their school; and (6) interim
assessments they elect to implement that are not required by the district or state. The survey was administered in spring
2015 and all principals in the state were invited by email to participate in the survey by Directors of the Center of Regional
Excellence (CORE). SCORE followed up with CORE Directors several times throughout the survey window to ensure emails
were sent to principals in each region and to support CORE Directors with further outreach in regions with low response
rates. A total of 286 principals, or 8.5 percent of those eligible, responded to the survey. Appendix B contains a full version of
the survey instrument.
District Leader Survey
The district leader survey instrument was designed to collect information in six key areas: (1) the amount of time spent on
assessment; (2) the amount of time spent preparing for assessment; (3) concerns heard from educators and parents related
to assessment; (4) top challenges faced with assessment; (5) the purposes of assessment in their district; and (6) interim
assessments they elect to implement that are not required by the state. The survey was administered in spring 2015 and
all district leaders in the state were invited by email to participate in the survey by the Tennessee Organization of School
Superintendents (TOSS). SCORE provided TOSS with a sample email that included a link to the district survey. SCORE
followed up with TOSS multiple times throughout the survey window to ensure emails were sent to all superintendents and to
provide additional outreach to districts that had not responded to the survey. A total of 69 superintendents, or 49.3 percent
of those eligible, responded to the survey. Appendix C contains a full version of the survey instrument.
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