What does construct validity measure in assessments?

Construct validity refers to the degree to which an assessment accurately measures the theoretical constructs it purports to measure. This means that if an assessment is designed to evaluate a specific construct, such as reading comprehension or mathematical reasoning, construct validity ensures that the assessment truly assesses those underlying qualities rather than other unrelated skills or knowledge.

For example, a reading comprehension test should not only measure how well students can read but should also align with theories about reading comprehension to confirm that it effectively evaluates students' understanding of the material. If a test demonstrates high construct validity, it essentially provides strong evidence that the conclusions drawn about a student's abilities in that area are accurate and justifiable.

The other concepts mentioned, such as consistency and fairness, are important in assessments but relate to different aspects. Consistency involves reliability, ensuring that test results are stable over time. Comparability deals with how different assessments measure the same constructs, and fairness addresses whether an assessment is equitable across different groups of students. These aspects, while essential to the broader context of assessment, do not define construct validity.