What does the term 'validity' refer to in the context of assessments?

In the context of assessments, the term 'validity' specifically refers to the extent to which an assessment measures what it is intended to measure. When an assessment is valid, it accurately reflects the learning outcomes or constructs it is designed to gauge. For example, if a test is intended to assess students' knowledge of mathematics, a valid assessment would ensure that it truly measures their mathematical understanding rather than factors unrelated to math skills, such as reading comprehension.

Validity encompasses various forms, including content validity (how well the content of the assessment aligns with the learning objectives), construct validity (how well the assessment reflects the theoretical concept it's measuring), and criterion-related validity (how well the assessment predicts performance on related outcomes).

The other options relate to important aspects of assessments but do not define validity. Consistency of measurement pertains to reliability, which assesses whether the assessment yields stable and consistent results over time. Alignment to standards deals with the degree to which an assessment corresponds to educational standards, while resulting in meaningful data refers to the usefulness of the assessment results for informing instruction and decision-making. Although these concepts are crucial in the assessment process, they do not capture the essence of validity.