The study reported indicates that despite the fact that undergraduate majors in elementary education could demonstrate attainment of a minimum standard on science content knowledge at one time, many were not able to demonstrate competence at the minimum standard at graduation time. (MK)

Describes the University of Arizona's plan of action for defining and testing second language proficiency at the fourth semester level (a college requirement). Tasks include (1) reviewing proficiency literature; (2) redefining the second language requirement by using the ACTFL proficiency guidelines; (3) developing testing techniques; and (4)…

Provides an overview of legal issues concerning the testing of handicapped students and employees in elementary and secondary schools and in institutions of higher education. The first part of the paper summarizes the major specialized sources of applicable statutory and administrative law. The second part synthesizes the relevant case law.…

During the 1980s Florida has mandated several testing programs to improve the quality of the community college, state university, and teacher education entrants and graduates. Three measures were intended to improve the quality of community college/state university/teacher education students. The College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) program…

In 1972, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia instituted the Regents' Testing Program (RTP) to provide systemwide information on the status of student competence in reading and writing and to provide a uniform means of identifying those students who fail to attain minimum levels of competence in these areas. Since 1972, some…

This article argues that, despite the demand for competency-based testing of college graduates, such efforts may be simplistic, costly, and counterproductive in light of the varied missions of higher education institutions. The assessments useful to improving higher education (campus-based, faculty-developed, and mission-related) do not appear to…

The presence and extent of overlap between checklist and written scores using data for over 400 medical students in 6 classes on an examination including clinical encounter stations with standardized patients were studied. Eighty-three cases used both measures. Written scores provide information in addition to that of the checklists. (SLD)

Some states are mandating basic skills testing and encouraging comprehensive universities to provide remedial programs for students who do not pass the tests. Texas House Bill 2182 is an example of this trend and is discussed in light of 10 key issues posed by assessment experts. (Author/MLW)

Discusses implications of states' requiring use of high school graduation exams. Finds testing requirements already blocking thousands of students from getting diplomas required for college admission, and complicating colleges' efforts to recruit black and Hispanic students. At the same time college officials praise tests for helping ensure that…

College seniors--129 who were 25 years of age or older, and 734 younger students were administered the objective portion of the American College Testing (ACT) College Outcomes Measures Project (COMP) test. The total COMP scores and subscores were compared for the two groups, as well as their entering ACT scores and grade-point averages using…

A full report is presented of testimony on teacher preparation given by witnesses before the subcommittee on postsecondary education. Included are the remarks and prepared statements of the following witnesses: (1) Marie D. Eldridge, Administrator of the National Center for Education Statistics, who discussed survey data on making teacher…

Many states are turning to minimum-competency testing at the secondary school level. Although at least 17 states have enacted legislation that sets minimum-competency standards for graduation from public high schools, the basic skills testing movement at the postsecondary level is still in its infancy. (MLW)

The Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) is a statewide program designed to ensure that all students attending public colleges and universities have the basic reading, mathematics, and writing skills necessary to perform effectively at the college level. All entering first-time freshmen are required to take the TASP test, which has a basic skills…

The problem of underprepared high school students in Washington State who wish to go to college, some possible causes for academic decline, and potential solutions to the problem are considered. Evidence of deficiencies are cited as follows: a decline in students' college admission test scores over the past 17 years; results of minimum competency…

Participants in this conference of educators, convened to consider methods of evaluating teacher education students, focused upon the relationship between candidate quality and teacher effectiveness. Questions under consideration included: (1) pre-admission field experiences students should demonstrate; (2) optimum scores on aptitude and…