Guiding construction and validation of assessment items

A computer readable storage device containing an executable program for guiding a user in a construction of an assessment item, wherein when the program is executed, the program causes a processor to performs steps of:

• identifying a requirement of the assessment item;
• filtering a plurality of documents in accordance with the requirement to produce a set of relevant documents;
• presenting a workflow for use in constructing the assessment item, wherein the workflow is based on the set of relevant documents;
• and presenting a set of questions for use in validating, by the user, that a proposed assessment item meets the requirement.

A system for guiding a user in a construction of an assessment item, the method comprising:

• a database that relates potential assessment targets to potential observations that facilitate measurement of the potential assessment targets;
• a processor for filtering data contained in the database in response to an identification of an assessment target and a design choice associated with the assessment item;
• and
• a user interface for leading a user through a workflow that incorporates data that is identified as being relevant to a design, creation, and review of the assessment item based on the filtering.