TX-KEA: Why does TX-KEA tests for the "soft g" sound instead of "hard g"? For example, the word "jam"

 Answer

The Texas Kindergarten Entry Assessment is a standardized, criterion-referenced assessment sensitive to student skill. Therefore, assessment tool vendors and their researchers and statisticians work hard to create bell curve models to help us understand where students may typically land within the scope of skills measured in the tool, aligning with growth over time. It compares a student’s knowledge and skills against a predetermined cut score. The main goal is to drive instruction to build a strong foundation to prepare students for the next grade level.

TX-KEA was built to cover the range of ability levels (easier items to harder items).  Therefore, harder sounds are included, e.g., G that can make the /j/ sound. This allows a better coverage of the upper end of ability levels. 

In other words, kindergarteners walk into classrooms with a variety of skills - some more advanced than others. As assessment tool designers, we have the responsibility to design tools that capture a wide range of skills so that teachers have the information to drive instruction for each child.

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