John Benjamins Publishing Company
Chapter 7. Mapping TOEFL® Essentials™ speaking and writing scores to the CEFR levels
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Abstract
This chapter describes a study to map scores from a new English language proficiency assessment, the TOEFL® Essentials™ test, to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The project started with a comparison of content between the TOEFL Essentials test and the CEFR descriptors, which established a claim that scores were relevant to language ability as described in the CEFR. A standard setting study, using the Performance Profile method, was then conducted to establish cut scores for each CEFR level. Additional information to support the reasonableness of these cut scores is also reported.
Abstract
This chapter describes a study to map scores from a new English language proficiency assessment, the TOEFL® Essentials™ test, to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The project started with a comparison of content between the TOEFL Essentials test and the CEFR descriptors, which established a claim that scores were relevant to language ability as described in the CEFR. A standard setting study, using the Performance Profile method, was then conducted to establish cut scores for each CEFR level. Additional information to support the reasonableness of these cut scores is also reported.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Series editors preface ix
- Chapter 1. Overview of research to enhance score interpretation 1
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Part I. Vertical linking research for suites of language tests
- Chapter 2. Considerations in developing vertical scales for language tests 14
- Chapter 3. Assessment design issues in developing vertical scales for language tests 35
- Chapter 4. Statistical methodology for developing vertical scales for language tests 61
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Part II. Enhancing score interpretation for individual language tests
- Chapter 5. Scale anchoring methodology for developing revised performance level descriptors for the TOEFL iBT® test 80
- Chapter 6. Exploring the benefits and challenges of web-based approaches to standard setting 99
- Chapter 7. Mapping TOEFL® Essentials™ speaking and writing scores to the CEFR levels 120
- Chapter 8. Designing and executing a score concordance study to establish score mapping to proficiency levels 141
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Part III. Concluding commentary
- Chapter 9. Literacy, transparency, and (mis)interpretations in communicating with testing stakeholders 158
- Notes on contributors 168
- Index 171
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Series editors preface ix
- Chapter 1. Overview of research to enhance score interpretation 1
-
Part I. Vertical linking research for suites of language tests
- Chapter 2. Considerations in developing vertical scales for language tests 14
- Chapter 3. Assessment design issues in developing vertical scales for language tests 35
- Chapter 4. Statistical methodology for developing vertical scales for language tests 61
-
Part II. Enhancing score interpretation for individual language tests
- Chapter 5. Scale anchoring methodology for developing revised performance level descriptors for the TOEFL iBT® test 80
- Chapter 6. Exploring the benefits and challenges of web-based approaches to standard setting 99
- Chapter 7. Mapping TOEFL® Essentials™ speaking and writing scores to the CEFR levels 120
- Chapter 8. Designing and executing a score concordance study to establish score mapping to proficiency levels 141
-
Part III. Concluding commentary
- Chapter 9. Literacy, transparency, and (mis)interpretations in communicating with testing stakeholders 158
- Notes on contributors 168
- Index 171