The MDT multi-digit technique, a development in testing technology, is described; and its application to science classrooms is discussed. Some actual materials for use in a cell biology class are included. The primary characteristic of an MDT multi-digit test is a long list of possible responses, with each term marked with a three-digit number…

The Florida Statewide Assessment Program tests students' achievement of basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics at grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 on the State Student Assessment Test-Part I (SSAT-I). In addition, high school students are tested on practical math and reading tasks on the State Student Assessment Test-Part II (SSAT-II). This…

Since 1979, New York State has been working on an instrument to evaluate elementary school students' writing ability. Several thousand writing samples were obtained and were analyzed, by a test development committee consisting of elementary school teachers, qualitatively within each grade as high, average, and low, and in terms of organization and…

Standards for evaluating criterion-referenced tests are presented. Twenty-one standards, grouped in three categories, are discussed. Category one is defined as measurement properties and is comprised of conceptual validity, including description of the domain, test item agreement with objectives, and item representativeness of the objectives; and…

This article provides in-depth information regarding the most commonly used instruments for the screening or diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders. Reliability, validity, format, and target population are presented to help clinicians select appropriate diagnostic measures. Future directions in the development of new instruments are discussed.…

Sensing an urgency among faculty and administrators to design writing assessment programs, this book presents a programmatic approach to writing assessment that combines holistic scoring with a programmatic emphasis and on-going program evaluation. The program described in the book was successfully conducted with rising juniors at a rural…

The Ohio Vocational Achievement Tests are specially designed instruments for use by teachers, supervisors, and administrators to evaluate and diagnose vocational achievement for improving instruction in secondary vocational programs at the 11th and 12th grade levels. This guide explains the Ohio Vocational Achievement Tests and how they are used.…

Performance assessment, unlike a multiple-choice or true-false test, requires students to perform a task or generate a response. This article promotes performance assessment as a way to measure student learning. It contains research findings, principles of performance assessment, seven steps toward performance assessment, and seven references.…

This book is written for coaches of secondary school students involved in mathematics contests. Benefits, of contests and suggestions for coaching mathematics contests are described. Sample questions are presented for the following contests: (1) Open categories, written competition; (2) Identified topics written competition; (3) Eight-person team…

Reviews seven commercially produced test generator programs appropriate for use by classroom teachers or individual instructors and identifies item construction and test formatting features that facilitate test design and delivery. Test generator programs and their manufacturers are listed. (MBR)

This guide is designed to give the student helpful information about Arizona's Instrument To Measure the Standards (AIMS) for grade 3. The guide provides examples of the type of questions students see on AIMS and explains how items are scored. It does not teach what the student needs to know to do well on AIMS, but it will help the student know…

This guide is designed to give the student helpful information about Arizona's Instrument To Measure the Standards (AIMS) for grade 5. The guide provides examples of the type of questions students see on AIMS and explains how items are scored. It does not teach what the student needs to know to do well on AIMS, but it will help the student know…

This manual contains information regarding the administration of the Oregon Statewide Assessment Program's tests in writing and mathematics problem-solving. Parts of the manual address (1) background and preparation for testing; (2) administering the writing assessment; (3) administering the mathematics problem-solving assessment; (4) local rater…

This manual contains information regarding the administration of the Oregon Statewide Assessment Program's tests in reading and literature, mathematics, science, and the social sciences. Parts of the manual address (1) background and preparation for testing; (2) general administration; (3) administering the mathematics test; (4) administering the…

This guide provides information for persons preparing to take government and other employment opportunity entrance examinations. It was developed for use with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other government agencies employing West Virginians and will be used by Adult Basic Education instructors to better prepare adults for employment. The…