Two major problems related to the identification of learning disabilities with individually administered achievement tests are discussed: (1) the appropriateness of standard versus developmental scores for determining the severity of discrepancy; and (2) the limitations of existing developmental score scales. Characteristics of the developmental…

The Joint Committee on Testing Practices has completed the "Code of Fair Testing Practices in Education," which is meant for the public and focuses on the proper use of tests in education--admissions, educational assessment and diagnosis, and student placement. The Code separately addresses test developers' and users' roles. (SLD)

Differences in test scores can be attributed to various causes, including genuine knowledge differences, test-taking abilities, and irrelevant and biased questions. The Golden Rule reform is a safeguard to ensure that standardized tests measure relevant knowledge differences between test takers and not irrelevant, culturally specific factors. (JAZ)

The author, the Chief Executive Officer of the Golden Rule Insurance Company, explains why his company brought the lawsuit against the State of Illinois and the Educational Testing Service and how it was settled. He believes settlement was a step forward and should not be dismissed as a mistake. (JAZ)

This article suggests that mechanical application of Golden Rule-like procedures is inappropriate. The fundamental idea embodied in them, namely, that of taking issues of equity into account in test construction, may reasonably be done without doing violence to test validity. (JAZ)

This is a reprint of a 1986 letter by the former president of the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME) to New York and California legislators. The author outlines why NCME is opposed to legislative initiatives to extend Golden Rule procedures to tests in those states. (JAZ)

This article provides an overview of the "Golden Rule" issue, including a summary of legislative and judicial activity aimed at extending the "Golden Rule" idea, the opposition of professional associations to such proposals, and activity at the Educational Testing Service to take differential item functioning into account in…

Self-regulation of agencies administering professional licensing and certification tests is questioned on social and legal grounds. Topics include test validity concerns of applicants, extension of "truth in testing" legislation, explicitness of standards, and whether construct validity should be the primary requirement for selecting a…

The gap between professionally and legally acceptable practice in professional licensure tests is addressed. Pertinent activities of the American Psychological Association, American Educational Research Association, and the National Council for Measurement in Education are discussed. (TJH)

The National Education Association questions the effectiveness and presents the negative aspects of state programs to test the minimum competency of practicing teachers. Teacher competency should be ensured through high standards for entering teachers and annual evaluation and professional development opportunities at the district level for…

The author calls for a tough national teacher examination to make teaching a genuine profession, to convince the public to pay teachers what they're worth, to empower teachers to make educational decision, to attract the best and brightest, and to ensure high quality education. Problems and prospects are discussed. (BS)

Implementing measurement specialists' ideas about content validity with licensure examinations and the problem of court litigation are discussed. Validity issues surfacing when sponsors of national licensure examinations conduct validity investigations are considered. Issues include local versus national focus on content validity, job analysis,…

Discrepancies between court and professional association views of licensing examinations are discussed. Litigation associated with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and constitutional law is considered. Courts should examine professional standards and apply those that are consistent with the court's determination of the proper…

Precedents from litigation on state graduation assessments provide insight into the potential legal arguments challengers may raise with regard to mandated content and performance standards for all students. Clearly documented, fairly administered procedures that adhere to professional recommendations will be the hallmark of defensible standards.…