Study Guide
Overview of the MTTC Administrator Tests
Michigan is committed to maintaining an educator workforce capable of enhancing student achievement and meeting the demands and expectations of the dynamic and diverse society of the state. The purpose of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Elementary and Secondary (PK–12) School Administrator and Central Office School Administrator tests is to help the state meet its goal of ensuring that all administrator candidates seeking certification in Michigan have the necessary professional readiness and educational leadership knowledge and skill to serve in Michigan schools.
Test Development Process
Creating tests for the MTTC program is a complex, ongoing process. The major steps in the process for the Elementary and Secondary (PK–12) School Administrator and Central Office School Administrator tests are outlined below.
| Task | Description |
|---|---|
| Develop the Test Objectives | The content of each test is developed and documented in the test objectives. Test objectives are organized into groups known as "subareas" that define the major content areas of the test. Each subarea consists of objectives that are accompanied by descriptive statements that further elaborate the content of the test objective. During preparation of the test objectives, key state and national documents and Michigan educators are consulted. |
| Validate Test Content | A content validation survey is conducted, using practicing Michigan educational leaders and administrator preparation program faculty to ensure that the test objectives reflect the knowledge and skills considered to be important for performing the job of an educational leader in Michigan. |
| Selecting Test Questions | Test questions are developed to assess the content defined by the test objectives. Committees of Michigan educators are convened to review and approve the test questions. Approved test questions are then used to assemble forms of the test that align to the objectives. |
| Set Passing Scores | A committee of Michigan administrators and faculty who prepare administrator candidates is convened for each field undergoing development to recommend the passing score. |
Characteristics of the Tests
TThe MTTC Elementary and Secondary (PK–12) School Administrator and Central Office School Administrator tests are designed to assess the educational leadership knowledge and skill needed to begin working as an administrator in Michigan.
All tests in the MTTC program are criterion referenced; that is, they are designed to measure a candidate's knowledge in relation to an established standard of competence (criterion) rather than in relation to the performance of other candidates. The explicit purpose of these tests is to help identify those candidates who have demonstrated the level of professional readiness and educational leadership knowledge and skill necessary to perform effectively as school or central office administrators.
The MTTC Elementary and Secondary (PK–12) School Administrator and Central Office School Administrator tests include both multiple-choice questions and one written constructed-response assignment. Examinees' scores are the weighted combination of the number of test questions answered correctly and their score on the constructed-response assignment.