GACE Faculty Resources
Results Reporting for Educator Preparation Program Providers
Test results for all GACE assessments are provided to Georgia educator preparation program providers for traditional and alternative routes (e.g., GA TAPP). See "Educator Preparation Program Providers Codes" for a list of the program providers approved to receive GACE test scores.
Test results are made available to program providers on the Evaluation Systems Institution Score Reporting Web site—a secure, password-protected Web-based data transmission system that allows Georgia program providers and faculty to receive score report information quickly and efficiently. The dean of education at each educator preparation program designates a contact person to receive test results. Program provider contacts are notified by e-mail when reports and data files are available.
The Institution Score Reporting Web site enables program provider contacts to download reports and data files to be saved on the program provider's computer system or network. The downloadable files are available in two formats:
- PDF documents are versions of the reports that can be viewed or printed.
- ASCII files are data files containing the test results. These files can be downloaded and imported into software databases or applications that are unique to each program provider. The ASCII file format allows program providers to format assessment results to meet their individual needs.
Because test results are confidential and need to be protected in a secure manner, the contact person at each educator preparation program restricts access to the files—both electronic and hard copy versions. To protect the privacy of examinees, PDF reports do not display examinees' complete nine-digit social security numbers.
The GACE program offers program providers
- test results reported after each test administration or test administration period for computer-based tests (CBT)—to monitor candidate testing and performance, and
- annual test results—to analyze educator preparation program performance.
Refer to the following sections for a description of the purpose and use of GACE educator preparation program provider reports.
Georgia educator preparation program providers and the GaPSC receive the following reports after each GACE test administration or test administration period:
- The Program Provider Alphabetical Roster of Examinees, which provides an alphabetical list of examinees associated with each educator preparation program and their passing status for the tests taken
- The Program Provider Roster Report by Test, which provides a summary by test of examinee test results for an educator preparation program along with a statewide summary of test results by test
Information regarding examinee program provider affiliation is obtained from examinees as self-reported information during the test registration process. Examinees who request that their score not be released to their program provider are not included in reports to program providers. To protect examinees' privacy, only the last five digits of their social security numbers are displayed on the PDF reports.
Individual examinee test scores are confidential and are for the purpose of Georgia educator certification only. To preclude the use of GACE scores for purposes other than Georgia educator certification (e.g., employment, college admission screening), scores of passing candidates are not reported.
Reading the Program Provider Alphabetical Roster of Examinees
For each educator preparation program provider, the Program Provider Alphabetical Roster of Examinees provides an alphabetical list of examinees from that program provider who tested on the specified test administration date or during the specified test administration period for computer-based testing. The report lists each examinee's name and the last five digits of his or her social security number, and it provides the test status (P=Pass, F=Did not pass) for each test taken. Additionally, an "Assessment Passed" column indicates if the examinee has taken and passed all tests within the assessment to date (Y=Yes, N=No). Note that the assessment passing status may be based on a combination of tests taken on previous and current test dates. The first page of this report summarizes guidelines and cautions regarding the data on this report.
Following is a sample of the Program Provider Alphabetical Roster of Examinees report. Refer to the table below for a description of the data contained in this report.
| Area of Report | Report Field | Field Description |
|---|---|---|
| Program provider and test date or period |
|
Lists the program provider name and the test administration date or period (for computer-based testing) for which results are reported. |
| Examinee test results |
|
Lists the names of all examinees (in alphabetical order) who tested on the date or period indicated. For each examinee, the report provides the social security number (last five digits only), passing status for all tests within the assessment, and test status (P=Pass, F=Did not pass) for each test taken on the date indicated. |
Reading the Program Provider Roster Report by Test
The Program Provider Roster Report by Test provides rosters of examinees and their individual test results organized by test as well as a summary of program provider results with comparisons to statewide results for each test. This report is organized by GACE assessment and by test within each assessment. For each test, information is provided regarding
- the composition of the test, including the approximate number of selected-response questions and the number of constructed-response assignments by content area assessed;
- the number of examinees from the program provider and statewide who tested, the number and percentage of examinees who passed, the mean scaled score, and an average performance index by content area; and
- the names and social security numbers of examinees (last five digits only) along with their passing status and, if they did not pass, their total test scaled score and indices indicating their performance in the major areas of the test.
Note that test results are reported by subarea for all tests except the Basic Skills assessment, for which results are reported by objective.
Test results for the GACE are calculated on a scale of 100 to 300, with the passing score equal to a scaled score of 220. The performance indices on the report indicate examinee performance as follows:
- For selected-response content areas, the examinee answered
- 4 = most or all of the questions correctly
- 3 = many of the questions correctly
- 2 = some of the questions correctly
- 1 = few or none of the questions correctly
- For constructed-response assignments, the examinee's response reflected
- 4 = thorough understanding
- 3 = general understanding
- 2 = limited understanding
- 1 = little or no understanding
- 0 = an unscorable or blank response
Following is a sample of the Program Provider Roster Report by Test. Refer to the table below for a description of the data contained in this report.
| Area of Report | Report Field | Field Description |
|---|---|---|
| Program provider and test date or period |
|
Lists the program provider name and the test administration date or period (for computer-based testing) for which results are reported. |
| Composition of the test |
|
Lists each subarea of the assessment and the approximate number of selected-response questions and constructed-response assignments in each. |
| Program provider performance versus statewide results |
|
Provides a comparison of program provider results with statewide testing results by summarizing the
performance of the program provider's examinees on the test and the performance of all examinees for
the test date. For each group, the report lists the number of examinees who tested, the number
of examinees who passed, and the mean of the examinees' total test scaled scores.
The performance indices provide a summary of results by subarea and type of test question. The performance index is displayed on a scale of 1 to 4 (4 being the highest score—see "Reporting Elements"). A program provider's average performance index is calculated as the mean of its examinees' performance indices for that subarea and question type. |
| Results by testing candidate |
|
Provides individual examinee results for the test indicated, including the examinee's name, last five
digits of his or her social security number, passing status, and the total test scaled score (if the examinee
did not pass).
The performance indices (for examinees who did not pass) show the examinee's performance by subarea for both selected-response questions and constructed-response assignments. The performance index is displayed on a scale of 1 to 4 (4 being the highest score—see "Reporting Elements"). |
*Reported by objective for the Basic Skills assessment
At the end of the program year, Georgia educator preparation program providers and the GaPSC receive the Annual Program Provider Summary Report, which provides an annual summary by test and assessment of examinee test results for an educator preparation program provider. The GACE Annual Program Provider Summary Report is designed to enable educator preparation program personnel to analyze program performance and identify if any changes in the curriculum may be needed to better prepare students for the GACE assessments.
The Annual Program Provider Summary Report:
- provides a summary of performance for a program provider's students over the course of a year
- provides results for a program provider's students compared to test takers statewide
- indicates averages of student performance by content area and item type
- indicates percentages of questions answered correctly for each test objective by students from the program provider and test takers statewide
- allows program personnel to analyze test results, test frameworks, and program curricula to determine how well the curricula are preparing students for the GACE assessments
The report presents summarized data for program completers. Identification of program completers is based on information provided by program providers as part of data collection to meet state and federal reporting requirements and is not affected by any information provided by test takers regarding program provider affiliation.
For examinees who took a test more than once during the program year, the report includes results for their first passing attempt or highest total test score if there is no passing attempt.
Reading the Annual Program Provider Summary Report
The Annual Program Provider Summary Report provides a summary of program provider results with comparisons to statewide results for each test, a summary of program provider results for each assessment, and annual and historical program provider results for all content assessments. The first page of the report provides interpretive notes and cautions regarding the data on the report. Additionally, footnotes are included on each section of the report to help interpret the various data elements presented. The report contains four sections:
- The "Annual Results by Test" section, which provides program provider and statewide results at the total test, subarea, and objective levels.
- The "Annual Results by Assessment" section, which provides program provider pass rates for each assessment and each test within the assessment.
- The "Annual Summary Results for All Content Assessments" section, which provides a summary of program provider pass rates for all of the content assessments.
- The "Historical Summary Results for All Content Assessments" section, which provides, for three academic years, program provider pass rates for all of the content assessments.
Test results for the GACE are calculated on a scale of 100 to 300, with the passing score equal to a scaled score of 220. The performance indices on the report indicate examinee performance as follows:
For selected-response content areas, the examinee answered For constructed-response assignments, the examinee's response reflected 4 = most or all of the questions correctly 4 = thorough understanding 3 = many of the questions correctly 3 = general understanding 2 = some of the questions correctly 2 = limited understanding 1 = few or none of the questions correctly 1 = little or no understanding 0 = an unscorable or blank response
Annual Results by Test
Following is a sample of the Annual Results by Test section of the Annual Program Provider Summary Report. Refer to the table below for a description of the data contained in this section of the report.
| Area of Report | Report Field | Field Description |
|---|---|---|
| Program provider and reporting period |
|
Lists the program provider name and the program year for which results are reported. |
| Section of report and test |
|
Lists the section of the report and the test for which results are reported. |
| Composition of the test |
|
Lists each subarea of the test and the approximate number of selected-response questions and constructed-response assignments in each. |
| Summary of program provider performance versus statewide results |
|
Provides a summary of program provider results with comparisons to statewide testing results for the program year.
For the program provider and all examinees statewide, the report lists the number of examinees who tested, the number
of examinees who passed, the percentage of examinees who passed, and the mean of the examinees' total test scaled
scores.
The report also includes average performance indices, which provide a summary of results by subarea and type of test question. The performance index is displayed on a scale of 1 to 4 (4 being the highest score—see "Reporting Elements"). A program provider's average performance index is calculated as the average of its examinees' performance indices for that subarea and question type. |
| Performance by subarea and objective |
|
Indicates the average percentage of selected-response questions answered correctly for each subarea and test objective by examinees from the program provider and statewide. |
*Reported by objective for the Basic Skills assessment
Annual Results by Assessment
Following is a sample of the Annual Results by Assessment section of the Annual Program Provider Summary Report. Refer to the table below for a description of the data contained in this section of the report.
| Area of Report | Report Field | Field Description |
|---|---|---|
| Program provider and reporting period |
|
Lists the program provider name and the program year for which results are reported. |
| Section of report and assessment |
|
Lists the section of the report and the assessment for which results are reported. |
| Summary of test and assessment results |
|
Provides a summary of program provider results for each test within the assessment and for the assessment as a whole. For each test, the report lists the number of examinees who tested, and the number and percentage of examinees who passed. For the assessment as a whole, the report lists the number of examinees who took all the tests within the assessment, and the number and percentage of examinees who passed all the tests within the assessment. In the sample above, for example, 50 examinees took both tests comprising the Early Childhood Assessment (Tests 001 and 002). Similarly, 48 examinees passed both tests comprising the Early Childhood Assessment. |
Annual Summary Results for All Content Assessments
Following is a sample of the Annual Summary Results for All Content Assessments section of the Annual Program Provider Summary Report. Refer to the table below for a description of the data contained in this section of the report.
| Area of Report | Report Field | Field Description |
|---|---|---|
| Program provider and reporting period |
|
Lists the program provider name and the program year for which results are reported. |
| Section of report |
|
Lists the section of the report. |
| Summary of annual content assessment results |
|
Provides a summary of annual program provider results for all content assessments. For each content assessment, the report lists the number of examinees who took all the tests within the assessment, and the number and percentage of examinees who passed all the tests within the assessment. In the sample above, for example, 50 examinees took both tests comprising the Early Childhood Assessment. Similarly, 48 examinees passed both tests comprising the Early Childhood Assessment. |
Historical Summary Results for All Content Assessments
Following is a sample of the Historical Summary Results for All Content Assessments section of the Annual Program Provider Summary Report. Refer to the table below for a description of the data contained in this section of the report.
| Area of Report | Report Field | Field Description |
|---|---|---|
| Program provider and reporting period |
|
Lists the program provider name and the program year for which results are reported. |
| Section of report |
|
Lists the section of the report. |
| Summary of historical content assessment results |
|
Provides a summary of historical program provider results for all content assessments. The report provides results for the current program year and two previous years. For each program year and content assessment, the report lists the number of examinees who took all the tests within the assessment, and the number and percentage of examinees who passed all the tests within the assessment. |
Analyzing Annual Program Provider Summary Reports to Improve Program Performance
Test results can be used to analyze areas of strength and weakness for a program provider's candidates and to enable a program provider to identify if any changes in the curriculum may be needed to better prepare students for the GACE assessments.
Faculty and staff can take the following steps to analyze annual test results and determine how program performance might be improved:
 |
Begin by obtaining a copy of the test design and framework for the GACE assessment test results being reviewed. GACE test designs and frameworks are available as PDF files (at no charge) from the GACE Web site by selecting "Test Designs and Frameworks." |
|
For each test, review your preparation program's passing percentage and mean total test scaled score (on a scale of 100 to 300, with the passing score equal to a scaled score of 220). How does this performance compare to your preparation program's goals? How does this performance compare to statewide results? |
|
For each test, review your preparation program's performance by subarea on both the selected-response questions and constructed-response assignments (on a scale of 1 to 4). Are there any areas in which average performance is less than 3? Are there any areas for which average performance is markedly lower than for other areas? Are your preparation program's results by subarea and item type higher, lower, or comparable to statewide results? |
|
For each test, review the percentage of selected-response questions answered correctly by examinees from your preparation program for each subarea and each objective within the subarea. Do the results show any subareas or objectives with low performance as compared with other subareas or objectives or to statewide performance? |
|
Based on your analysis, are there particular areas of content in which test results for your preparation program's educator candidates are lower than desired? If so, these are possible areas of development for your program's curriculum. It is recommended that you review your test-framework-to-curriculum mapping, focusing on these areas of curriculum development. If you have not yet done so, refer to "Mapping the Test Framework to the Curriculum" for instructions on how to complete this activity, which is designed to assist faculty in determining how well their curricula cover the knowledge and skills tested by the GACE assessments. Based on your analysis of test results, are there additional courses that are needed for GACE candidates? Is there particular content that is not being adequately covered within courses? |
|
After you review your program's overall results, you may wish to conduct a more detailed data analysis. To do so, you may utilize the ASCII data files (described in "Using the Test Results Data Files") that are provided to you on the Institution Score Reporting Web site. ASCII data may be sorted, merged, or filtered in other ways appropriate for a program provider to yield meaningful results. |
In addition to receiving test results in a format that can be viewed or printed, program providers receive test results data as ASCII files. The ASCII file layout, which defines each field within a record, is provided on the Institution Score Reporting Web site. ASCII files can be downloaded and the data exported into databases or other applications such as spreadsheets unique to each program provider. "Instructions for Importing an ASCII file into a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet" provides step-by-step instructions, with the use of screen shots, on how to import ASCII data into Microsoft Excel.
ASCII Data Files Provided After Each Test Administration or Test Administration Period for Computer-Based Testing
Georgia educator preparation program providers receive the following ASCII data file after each GACE test administration or test administration period for computer-based testing:
The Examinee File, which contains the following information:
- Examinee name
- Social security number (complete nine-digit number)
- Test administration date
- Test taken
- Passing status
- Date assessment passed
- Total test scaled score (for examinees who did not pass)
- Selected-response and constructed-response content area performance indices (for examinees who did not pass)
ASCII files can be downloaded and the data exported into databases or other applications such as spreadsheets to accumulate test results across testing dates. Once centralized, that data may be sorted or filtered to gain unique and meaningful results for the program provider. For example, test results may be sorted by examinee to view the cumulative test results for a testing candidate over a given period. Or test results may be filtered to display examinees who have not yet passed an assessment.
The data can also be merged with additional program provider records, such as courses taken by individual GACE candidates, to determine whether candidates not passing the GACE are lacking critical coursework prior to testing, or whether coursework taken is not adequately preparing candidates for the GACE assessments.
These test results files may be most appropriately used to monitor individual candidate testing and performance during the program year and may also be used to supplement the analysis of program performance as described in Analyzing Annual Program Provider Summary Reports to Improve Program Performance.
ASCII Data Files Provided Annually
Georgia educator preparation program providers receive the following ASCII data files at the end of each program year:
The Summary File by Test. This file provides program provider and statewide annual results by test, including the following information:
- Program Provider Code
- Test Code
- Number Tested
- Number Passed
- Percent Passing
- Mean Scaled Score
- Selected-response and constructed-response average performance indices
The Summary File by Subarea and Objective. This file provides program provider and statewide annual results by test, subarea, and objective, including the following information:
- Program Provider Code
- Test Code
- Subarea
- Objective
- Average percentage of selected-response questions answered correctly
The Summary File by Assessment. This file provides program provider annual results by assessment, including the following information:
- Program Provider Code
- Assessment Code
- Number Tested
- Number Passed
- Percent Passed
- Assessment Name
Data from these ASCII files can be exported into spreadsheets or other applications and accumulated over multiple program years. Once centralized, that data may be sorted or filtered to gain unique and meaningful results for the program provider. For example, results by test, subarea, or objective may be sorted by program year to view trends over time. The assessment data can also be formatted to meet accreditation reporting requirements.
Test results files can also be used to analyze areas of strength and weakness for educator preparation program candidates relative to statewide candidates and to enable a program provider to identify if any changes in the curriculum may be needed to better prepare students for the GACE assessments.
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