What is a definition of statistical reliability in assessment?

Statistical reliability in assessment refers to the degree to which test scores are consistent across repeated administrations of the test. This means that if a test is reliable, it should yield similar results when given to the same group of students under similar conditions, at different times. High reliability indicates that the assessment is measuring something consistently, which allows educators to trust that the scores reflect the students' true abilities or knowledge rather than random measurement errors.

This consistency is crucial for making informed decisions based on assessment results, as it ensures that the findings are stable and trustworthy. When assessments are reliable, educators can use them to track progress, make comparisons, and guide instruction effectively.

In contrast, other options focus on different aspects of assessment quality. Dependability of administering a test relates more to the standardization of the testing process rather than the reliability of the results. Veracity, or the accuracy of what a test measures, pertains to validity rather than reliability. Consistency between two tests when comparing their results relates to the concept of correlation and could imply a type of reliability, such as alternate-form reliability, but it does not encapsulate the broader definition of reliability as the consistency of results over repetitions.