An Investigation of an ESL Placement Test of Writing Using Manyfacet Rasch Measurement

Abstract

Because performance assessment, such as a composition test, introduces a range of factors that may influence the chances of success for a candidate on the test, those in charge of monitoring quality control for performance assessment programs need to gather information that will help them determine whether all aspects of the programs are working as intended. In the present study, Many-facet Rasch measurement (Linacre, 1989) was employed to examine the effects of various sources of variability on students’ performance on an ESL placement test of writing and also to investigate the validity of the assigned scores for students’ essays.