In the spirit of continuous learning, we asked the I.C.E. Publications and Editorial Committee to provide some of their go-to resources for all things credentialing and professional development. Take a look at their recommendations below, featuring topics from test development, legal principles, strategies for leadership in 2021, awareness of racial biases and more.

“Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing,” by the American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association and National Council on Measurement in Education

Recommended by: Vicki Gremelsbacker, MSEd
Where you can find it: On the APA website 
Why they recommend it: Published collaboratively by the three organizations since 1966, it represents the gold standard in guidance on testing in the United States and in many other countries.

“Handbook of Test Development, 2^nd ed, 2016. Ed.” by Lane, S., Raymond, MR, Haladyna, TM

Recommended by: Vicki Gremelsbacker, MSEd
Where you can find it: Amazon and other book stores 
Why they recommend it: The handbook is divided into five sections, covering the foundations of test development, content definition, item development, test design and form assembly, and the processes of test administration, documentation and evaluation.

“Test Equating, Scaling, and Linking,” by Michael J. Kolen and Robert L. Brennan

Recommended by: Vicki Gremelsbacker, MSEd
Where you can find it: Springer Link (publisher)
Why they recommend it: This book provides an introduction to test equating, scaling and linking, including those concepts and practical issues that are critical for developers and all other testing professionals. In addition to statistical procedures, successful equating, scaling and linking involves many aspects of testing, including procedures to develop tests, to administer and score tests, and to interpret scores earned on tests.

“Testing in the Professions: Credentialing Policies and Practices,” by Susan Davis-Becker and Chad Buckendakl, Eds. 

Recommended by: Mihaiela R. Gugiu, PhD
Where you can find it: Amazon and other book stores
Why they recommend it: This is an edited volume that provides information on a wide range of topics relevant to credentialing organizations, from test development and validation, to communicating with candidates and other stakeholders, and test security and legal issues that credentialing organizations must be aware of. The essays in this volume are relevant to credentialing programs regardless of the field in which they operate.

“Developing and Validating Test Items,” by Thomas M. Haladyna and Michael C. Rodriguez

Recommended by: Mihaiela R. Gugiu, PhD
Where you can find it: Amazon and other book stores
Why they recommend it: This book provides a fairly in-depth overview of item development. The authors guide the readers through the foundational elements of item writing prior to focusing on how to write different types of items. In addition to providing guidelines and examples for developing high quality items, they also discuss issues item developers should pay attention to. The last part of the book focuses on the validation process and guides readers through different aspects of the process and various pieces of validity evidence. 

Associations Now’s Lead2021 Resource Bundle, by ASAE and various authors

Recommended by: Bruce Hammond, CAE
Where you can find it: The Associations Now website 
Why they recommend it: This new resource bundle from ASAE provides five thought leadership articles for association leaders in each of the following three buckets: Organizational Strategy, Board Management and Today’s CEO. The articles included within it are forward-looking opportunities for association leaders to consider strategy across a range of subjects, and provide useful and practical tips/thoughts for leaders to consider as they navigate 2021. They are applicable to both certification and non-certification organization executive leaders.

“Certification and Accreditation Law Handbook, Third Edition,” by Jerald Jacobs

Recommended by: Elisa Kahn, PMP
Where you can find it: Amazon and other book stores
Why they recommend it: From Amazon: “A comprehensive and user-friendly review of legal principles and rules that apply to private, nonprofit voluntary organizations that issue credentials, operate certification or accreditation programs, or are considering doing so.”

“The Business of Certification: Creating and Sustaining a Successful Program, 2nd Edition,” by Lenora Knapp, PhD and Joan Knapp, PhD

Recommended by: Elisa Kahn, PMP
Where you can find it: ASAE's website
Why they recommend it: From ASAE: “’The Business of Certification’ analyzes the business issues that are critical to consider before launching a certification program and are essential to successfully managing one. The book is organized into three sections to guide association leaders — CEOs, senior staff and board members — through every phase of a certification program.”

“Testing and Measurement: A User-Friendly Guide,” by Sharon E. Robinson Kurpius and Mary E. Stafford

Recommended by: Elisa Kahn, PMP
Where you can find it: SAGE Publishing
Why they recommend it: From SAGE: “[The authors] guide the reader through the essential components of measurement, starting with measurement scales and ending with reliability and validity. The authors show that everyone can learn testing and measurement concepts, and they make the learning process fun and non-threatening.”

“White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism,” by Robin DiAngelo

Recommended by: Tina Riner
Where you can find it: Amazon and other book stores
Why they recommend it: I found this an interesting way to evaluate myself to help raise personal awareness of any discrimination I might bring to training others and how to help reduce the chance to bias in items. From Amazon: “The New York Times best-selling book exploring the counterproductive reactions white people have when their assumptions about race are challenged, and how these reactions maintain racial inequality.”

“Certification: The ICE Handbook (3^rd ed.),” by James Henderson, PhD

Recommended by: Amanda Wolkowitz, PhD
Where you can find it: I.C.E.'s website
Why they recommend it: This is a comprehensive reference covering all aspects of credentialing and relating it to certification. The topics in the handbook include context, governance and management of certification organizations and programs, exam development and use, recertification, and innovation and foreseeable trends.