Extrapolates from existing case law on educational testing to the likely ways in which school accountability systems may be challenged in the courts. Also offers a list of recommended actions for accountability system developers. (SLD)

Discusses different views and understandings of science assessment among stakeholders (policy makers, psychometricians, school administrators, parents, teachers, and students). Looks at science testing and assessment from the 1950s to the late 1990s. Considers high stakes testing. Argues that more authentic and appropriate forms of assessment,…

Traces the history of the International Test Commission (ITC), reviewing the context in which it was formed, its goals, and major milestones in its development. Suggests ways the ITC may continue to impact test development positively, and introduces this inaugural journal issue. (SLD)

As a principal facing the task of figuring out all the complexities of the No Child Left Behind legislation, Kenneth Remsen, has concluded there is a strong belief that testing students is the answer to bringing about improvements in student performance. Because testing seems to be a cornerstone to improving performance, he doesn't understand why…

Recently, Currie and Stabile (2006) made a significant contribution to our understanding of the influence of ADHD symptoms on a variety of school outcomes including participation in special education, grade repetition and test scores. Their contributions include using a broad sample of children and estimating sibling fixed effects models to…

Accrediting bodies, including Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business-International (AACSB), require evidence that business schools fulfill their stated missions. This often involves using the Major Field Achievement Test in Business (MFAT-B). In this article, the authors studied MFAT-B performance for its relationship to grade point…

The authors surveyed graduate programs to see how they use the Graduate Record Examination Analytic Writing (GRE-AW) Test. Only 35% of the graduate programs that responded use the GRE-AW test in their admission policy; of the programs not using it, most do not plan to do so. The programs using the GRE-AW rated it as medium or low in importance in…

This report traces the evolution of education in America from a privilege for a few to a necessity for all, and discusses the need to promote high standards and accountability in the classroom. Eight specific areas are highlighted: (1) "A History of Expectations" traces the history of the public school in America and its shift in the…

The process of collecting student background information from parents using nationally agreed definitions of student background characteristics began in 2005. The original edition of this manual, titled "Data Implementation Manual for Enrolments for the 2005 and 2006 School Years," was prepared to assist schools and systems in modifying…

A study compared the performance of 44 applicants seeking admission to an alternative high school (n=19) and nursing assistant program (n=25) at a Wisconsin postsecondary institution on the Assessment of Student Skills for Entry Transfer (ASSET) test and the Nelson-Denny Reading Test. (Applicants who did not achieve a minimum score on ASSET then…

The "Principles and Indicators for Student Assessment Systems" of the National Forum on Assessment, 1995, proposes a view of testing and assessment in elementary and secondary education that challenges the basic concepts and practices underlying the "Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing" of the American…

Available test score evidence does not support the common claim that student achievement has declined. On the other hand, the existing evidence cannot be used to prove that student achievement has risen. This paper offers reasons why student achievement in the past cannot be compared accurately with student achievement today: (1) tests, curricula,…

Certain types of evaluation tools used in continuing education offerings limit the evaluation process and hence the value of the offering. Asking a yes/no question as an exclusive evaluation method for learners' achievement of objectives is inappropriate for certain types of offerings. Provision should be made for assessment of continuing…

Heavy migration into Canada and migration from Native rural communities to urban areas has made it necessary to identify appropriate instruments for assessing minority children's academic abilities. In Canada, IQ tests have been used extensively for academic placement in school. This paper reviews the literature evaluating cultural bias in IQ…

The roles of assessment and testing within public employment and training programs supported by the Job Training Partnership Act of 1982 (JTPA) were examined through a review of the literature and two surveys of the JTPA system. In 1987, the Center for Remediation Design and the Center for Human Resources (CHS) at Brandeis University in Waltham…