대학수학능력시험 ‘정치와 법’ 과목에서의 영 교육평가 탐색 및 논의

This study aims to explore the phenomenon of ‘null evaluation’ observed in the subject of Politics & Law in the Korean College Scholastic Ability Test(CSAT), and to analyze its implications. Inspired by Eisner’s concept of the ‘null curriculum’, this study introduces the notion of null evaluation, which refers to the deliberate omission of content from assessment despite its recognized educational value. An analysis of CSAT items from the ‘Politics & Law’ subject over the past five years under the 2015 revised national curriculum revealed seven instances of null evaluation. Expert in-depth interviews further identified a combination of macro-level factors (such as social pressures, item formats, and limitations of textbooks) and micro-level factors (such as established conventions based on previous exam items, the pursuit of efficiency in item development, and the level of assessment expertise) contributing to the occurrence of null evaluation. Through a comprehensive discussion of its current state and underlying causes, the study finds that while null evaluation in the CSAT may be an unavoidable outcome of a high-stakes standardized testing environment, its negative consequences are likely to be substantial. The study concludes by proposing critical reflections on how null evaluation should be interpreted and addressed, offering key insights and implications for future assessment practices.