Performance Assessment: Policy Promises and Technical Measurement Standards

Major changes in the nature and context of assessment are underway that have potential implications for technical measurement standards. Three particularly notable changes are (a) the expanded role of the federal government, (b) the increased emphasis on standards, and (c) the major increase in reliance on performance-based assessments. These changes provide the context for the recently launched effort to revise the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. Implications of these and other changes for the revision of the Standards are discussed.