Study Guide
About the MEGA Program
The Missouri Educator Gateway Assessments (MEGA) program:
- is a contemporary assessment program that measures educator candidates' content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and dispositions and work styles.
- is integral to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Top 10 by 20 education reform plan of improving student achievement in the state to rank among the top 10 states by the year 2020.
- is aligned with Missouri and National Standards.
About the Tests
The MEGA were developed in alignment with Missouri regulations and content standards for teachers. The Missouri program is composed of the following tests:
- Missouri Educator Profile (MEP)
- Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA)
- Paraprofessional test
- content assessments in each certification field
- pedagogy assessments for middle and secondary school educators
The ongoing development of the MEGA program has involved the active participation of Missouri educators. By participating on content advisory committees and a bias review committee, they have helped validate MEGA test competencies and test items. Missouri educators also responded to content validation surveys to further assess the relevance of MEGA test content to the job of a Missouri educator.
The MEGA tests are administered at computer-based testing centers, located throughout Missouri and nationwide. The MEP is not administered at a test center; rather, candidates register for the profile and then complete it at their convenience from any computer with an Internet connection. Candidates may complete the profile at home, or in a quiet setting, such as a library.
The Test Development Process
Creating the MEGA program is a complex, ongoing process. The major steps in the process are outlined below.
| Task | Description |
|---|---|
| Develop the Test Framework | The content of each MEGA test is documented in the test framework. The test framework consists of domains that include a set of competencies, along with a set of descriptive statements that further elaborate the content of each test competency. During preparation of the test competencies, key state and national documents were consulted. Committees of Missouri educators reviewed the test competencies to ensure that the test competencies are accurate, free of bias, job related, and important for the job of an entry-level educator in Missouri. |
| Validate Test Content (content and pedagogy tests) | For the content and pedagogy tests, a content validation survey was conducted using sampled practicing Missouri educators and educator preparation program faculty to ensure that the test competencies reflect the knowledge and skills considered to be important for performing the job of an educator in Missouri. |
| Develop Test Items | Next, test items were developed to assess the content defined by the test competencies. Committees of Missouri educators were convened to review and approve the test items. |
| Set Qualifying Scores | A committee of Missouri educators convenes to make recommendations to DESE that will be used to establish the qualifying score for each MEGA test. The final qualifying scores are determined by the State Board of Education. |