Integrated Algebra Regents Examination Update

In June 2008, the Department will administer the first Regents Examination in Integrated Algebra; this is an exam that students must pass to earn a high school diploma. The Department must ensure that the exam is designed, developed, standard-set, and equated according to the principles set forth in the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (Joint Standards). The Department must also meet the needs of students and school districts by returning exam scores to school districts by the end of the June Regents Examination Period so school districts can make summer school determinations, course placement decisions for the fall, and ensure that student report cards are completed in a timely manner.

During the past year, Department staff have worked closely with New York State Mathematics teachers, Riverside Test Publishing, Pearson Educational Measurement to design the new set of Regents mathematics exams.  All processes have adhered to the Joint Standards and have the support of the Department’s independent, external Technical Advisory Group.

For standard-setting the new exams, the Department will use the same processes that were used for the Grades 3-8 Testing Program:

• conducting the standard setting after the test has been administered using operational testing data (rather than field testing data);
• implementing the Measurement Policy Review Forum; 
• standard setting using the Item Mapping Method with New York State General Education and Special Population teachers; and
• reviewing final results with the Department’s TAG prior to submitting to the Commissioner.

These standard-setting processes reflect best practices, adhere to the Joint Standards, and were formally vetted and approved by the United States Department of Education (USDOE) through the Peer Review. Under this plan, we will be able to ensure the validity of the exams and return scores to schools prior to the end of the Regents Examination Period.