The present monte carlo simulation study was designed to examine the effects of multidimensionality during the administration of computerized adaptive testing (CAT). It was assumed that multidimensionality existed in the individuals to whom test items were being administered, i.e., that the correct or incorrect responses given by an individual…

A simulation study was conducted to explore the potential of state assessment scores to improve adjustments for nonparticipation (McLaughlin, Gallagher, and Stancavage, 2004). That study found that state assessment scores could potentially be more effective than demographic information in removing the bias related to absences. The present study…

Reports on a University of Michigan project that developed and evaluated programed materials that would help library science graduate students become acquainted with representative reference materials and learn through simulated situations how to meet the informational needs of patrons; includes methods, schedules, findings, and analysis.…

The performance of distant students in a simulation exercise for a Small Business Management (SBM) course was compared with that of internal students and the demographic and psychological variables associated with the performance of each student group were examined. Distant students matched or exceeded the performance of internal students in…

This report documents the technology initiatives of the Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST) in two broad areas: (1) using technology to improve the quality, utility, and feasibility of existing measures; and (2) using technology to design and develop new assessments and measurement approaches available…

The accuracy with which regression models estimate treatment effects is dependent upon a number of conditions. The stability of the regression line (a function of sample size and correlation between pretest and posttest) is said to be the most important of these conditions. The utility of regression models is proportional to the size of the…

The Problem Solving in Technology-Rich Environments (TRE) study was designed to demonstrate and explore innovative use of computers for developing, administering, scoring, and analyzing the results of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) assessments. Two scenarios (Search and Simulation) were created for measuring problem solving…

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) was used in this study, which attempted to develop a new methodology for assessing the speededness of right-scored tests. Traditional procedures of assessing speededness have assumed that the test is scored under formula-scoring instructions; this approach is not always appropriate. In this study,…

Utilizing a computerized model, this paper presents a five-year financial plan for the board of education in North York (Ontario). The model assumes that the present organizational structure and policies of the board will continue and that a zero inflation rate will prevail for the next five years. It assesses financial implications for the future…

Enrollment simulation and planning (ESP) is centered on the use of statistical models to describe how and why college enrollments fluctuate. College planners may use this approach with confidence to simulate any number of plausible future scenarios. Planners can then set a variety of possible college actions against these scenarios, and examine…

The purpose of this study was to use realistically simulated data to evaluate various CAT designs for use with the verbal reasoning measure of the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Factors such as item pool depth, content constraints, and item formats often cause repeated adaptive administrations of an item at ability levels that are not…

A highly technical report describes higher education forecasting procedures used by the State Education Department of New York at Albany to project simulated college enrollments for New York State from 1978-1994. Basic components of the projections--generated for full- and part-time undergraduates, full- and part-time graduates, and…

Impacts of both the originally proposed and the recently adopted University of California freshman admissions formulas on the regularly admitted freshman at Berkeley in the fall of 1972 and 1973 were assessed. The sex, ethnic characteristics, and graduation rates are examined for students who would have been included and excluded by the formulas.…

The anticipated growth of nontraditional education programs in higher education and the recognized need to carefully evaluate the potential economic impact of such programs inspired this study to: (1) evaluate the economics of five varied nontraditional institutions; (2) assist each of the traditional and nontraditional institutions participating…

A basic technical framework is provided for the design and use of mastery tests. The Mastery Testing Project (MTP) prepared this framework using advanced mathematics supplemented with computer simulation based on real test data collected by the South Carolina Statewide Testing Program. The MTP focused on basic technical issues encountered in using…