Cebu International EFL Conference

Abstract of paper

Authors
Dr. Supalak  Nakhornsri

Asst Prof. Bubpha Setobol
King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok
Department of Languages, Faculty of Applied Arts
Bangkok Thailand

Title
The Development of the Ability Band by Means of Domain-Referenced Testing for English Reading I Course

Abstract
The main purposes of this study are 1) to specify the domains included in the assessing and measuring process of English Reading I course, 2) to find the cut-off scores for the ability band used for the students’ learning achievement in English Reading I course, 3) to find ability descriptors for each level of the ability band for the students’ learning achievement in English Reading I course and 4) to investigate the instructors and the students’ opinions towards the grading system developed by means of Domain-referenced testing (DRT).
 The population is second-fourth year students who enroll in English Reading I course at King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Thailand. The data are then analyzed by means of Classical Test Theory to find the item difficulty indices and maps of variables.

The findings can be summarized as follows: 1. The learning achievement bands of students who study English Reading  I course which can be categorized into 8 levels, A (Distinguished), B+ (Superior), B (Advanced-High), C+ (Advanced-Low), C (Intermediate-High), D+ (Intermediate-Low), D (Novice-High), and F (Novice-Low). 2. The developed ability bands can be used as a standardized band to evaluate students’ learning achievement in this course.