What does reliability measure in educational assessments?

Reliability in educational assessments measures the consistency of measurement. This means that if the assessment were administered multiple times under similar conditions, it would yield similar results each time. High reliability indicates that the assessment is stable and dependable, ensuring that it captures the true abilities and knowledge of students rather than being influenced by random errors or varying conditions.

For example, if a teacher gives a math test and students receive widely varying scores each time it is taken, the test may not be reliable because it doesn't consistently measure what it is intended to assess. Reliable assessments reflect accurate representations of student performance over time, creating trust in the results.

In contrast, other options like overall student happiness, depth of knowledge, and creativity in student work focus on different aspects of education and student learning. While these factors are important, they do not relate to the concept of reliability, which is strictly concerned with the consistency and dependability of measurement tools in educational settings.