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Bahrain: Item Banking Project
2012 - 2015
The Ministry of Education (MOE) launched the 'Item-Banking Examination System' as a key initiative to enhance the educational system and ensure the quality of examinations using the latest measurement models and information technology. The project's primary objectives are to improve the development, delivery, scoring, and reporting of standardized tests across all educational stages. By establishing an item banking system, the project aims to produce valid, objective, fair, and reliable assessments of student learning outcomes that serve various users and stakeholders. These tests will support individual and institutional accountability, inform policy decisions to address strengths and weaknesses in education, and enhance teaching effectiveness, ultimately improving student learning outcomes. As part of Phase I of the project, owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain's Ministry of Education, AGI—through its distributor, Al-Ola Modern Systems—implemented the IBMP © Platform and conducted a series of workshops for Bahraini test developers, item writers, and reviewers. These workshops covered assessment framework design, test blueprint development, and item authoring according to international standards. The first workshop was conducted in collaboration with an expert from the American Institute of Research (AIR), followed by additional workshops led by the AGI team. By the end of Phase I, MOE experts successfully developed a math and science test for Grade 9. Items were authored using IBMP, and field test forms were assembled. The next steps involve administering the pilot test and evaluating the items, which are currently in progress.