Assessment Resource Banks for School-Based and National Assessment

The New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) is developing assessment resource banks (ARBs) in mathematics and science. The ARBs are broader than traditional item banks, as they contain assessment resources varying from selected-response items to practical tasks. They reflect current New Zealand curriculum statements in mathematics and science, and are presented as computerised databases with classification and retrieval systems which enable users to select assessment material to match teaching objectives. The ARBs are available via the Internet for school-based uses within New Zealand. Their possible role in national assessment policy is also being considered. This article outlines the development and structure of the ARBs, summarises an evaluation of school-based and national uses undertaken in 1996, and discusses the future possibilities of ARBs for school-based and national assessment purposes