Annual rant about poor NFHS test question writing

[UmpireErnie]

It's a good thing we umpire actual plays in real time instead of words on paper.

[CecilOne]

Nonsense questions

For purposes of an appeal, when a runner passes a base she is considered to have touched it.
a. True
b. False
Explanation 8-3-4
What does “purposes of an appeal” mean, if not that it is a missed base if appealed.
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The DP and the FLEX are locked into the same position in the batting order.
a. True
b. False
Explanation 3-3-6g
The “explanation" only says the FLEX in the wrong position is illegal substitution.
The DP and FLEX are not shown in the same position, the FLEX is on line 10 and can move to the DP line.
Although everyone is "locked" in the batting order.

[DaveASA/FED]

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The DP and the FLEX are locked into the same position in the batting order.
a. True
b. False
Explanation 3-3-6g
The “explanation" only says the FLEX in the wrong position is illegal substitution.
The DP and FLEX are not shown in the same position, the FLEX is on line 10 and can move to the DP line.
Although everyone is "locked" in the batting order.[/QUOTE]

Since the flex is not technically in the batting order (2-7-1) at the start of the game, they are listed in the 10th position on the lineup(3-3-6b), but are not an offesive player. And since the FLEX can only legally bat for the DP (3-3-6d&e) than I think the statement that they are locked to the same position in the batting order is easily True.

2-7-1
ART. 1 . . . Batting Order. The batting order is the official list of starting offensive players presented in the order in which they are to bat and recorded on a lineup card.
3-3-6b
b. The name of the player for whom the DP is batting (FLEX) will be placed in the 10th position in the lineup.
3-3-6d
d. The DP may be substituted for at any time by a legal substitute or the FLEX may play offense for the DP. In either case, the DP will leave the game. If replaced by a substitute, the DP position remains in the lineup. A starting DP may re-enter one time, provided the DP returns to the original position in the batting order.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by DaveASA/FED

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The DP and the FLEX are locked into the same position in the batting order.
a. True
b. False
Explanation 3-3-6g
The “explanation" only says the FLEX in the wrong position is illegal substitution.
The DP and FLEX are not shown in the same position, the FLEX is on line 10 and can move to the DP line.
Although everyone is "locked" in the batting order.

Since the flex is not technically in the batting order (2-7-1) at the start of the game, they are listed in the 10th position on the lineup(3-3-6b), but are not an offesive player. And since the FLEX can only legally bat for the DP (3-3-6d&e) than I think the statement that they are locked to the same position in the batting order is easily True.

2-7-1
ART. 1 . . . Batting Order. The batting order is the official list of starting offensive players presented in the order in which they are to bat and recorded on a lineup card.
3-3-6b
b. The name of the player for whom the DP is batting (FLEX) will be placed in the 10th position in the lineup.
3-3-6d
d. The DP may be substituted for at any time by a legal substitute or the FLEX may play offense for the DP. In either case, the DP will leave the game. If replaced by a substitute, the DP position remains in the lineup. A starting DP may re-enter one time, provided the DP returns to the original position in the batting order.[/QUOTE]

I know, it was my suspicion about the testers throwing in comparisons to other rule books that got me. Someone shows both on the DP line, or used to.

[IRISHMAFIA]

For purposes of an appeal, when a runner passes a base she is considered to have touched it.
a. True
b. False
Explanation 8-3-4
What does “purposes of an appeal” mean, if not that it is a missed base if appealed.

The answer should be false. The runner who passes a base is considered to have touched that base for the purpose of all rules including awards, but not for the purpose of appeals.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by UmpireErnie

It's a good thing we umpire actual plays in real time instead of words on paper.

AMEN !!

[SWFLguy]

Retired high school teacher here of 32 years. Actually studied test construction in college and put it work work in my career. The True or False items in sports official's tests often end up as reading tests and not a valid test of an official's ability to make correct calls on the field. A well constructed multiple choice test is more reliable/valid. They are not that difficult to construct. In a perfect world, those are the kind of tests we would be taking. See SAT's and such as an example.

[illinoisbluezeb]

Originally Posted by SWFLguy

Retired high school teacher here of 32 years. Actually studied test construction in college and put it work work in my career. The True or False items in sports official's tests often end up as reading tests and not a valid test of an official's ability to make correct calls on the field. A well constructed multiple choice test is more reliable/valid. They are not that difficult to construct. In a perfect world, those are the kind of tests we would be taking. See SAT's and such as an example.

So Illinois has done something correctly !!!!
IHSA has been using multiple choice questions for a few years now.
Only 25-30 questions.