Research in validity suggests that stakeholders' interpretation and use of test results should be an aspect of validity. Claims about the meaningfulness of test score interpretations and consequences of test use should be backed by evidence that stakeholders understand the definition of the construct assessed and the score report information. The…

The Zhuang language test ("Vahcuengh Sawcuengh Suijbingz Gaujsi", VSSG) is the first minority language test in the People's Republic of China. It was designed with multiple goals including improving Zhuang language teaching, recruiting students for relevant majors of tertiary study, identifying proficiency for work-related applications,…

The Quality of Study Rating Form incorporates principles of meta-analysis to rate key features in a social work evaluation study. The method is described, a test of its reliability is outlined, and its potential applications are discussed. (MSE)

To learn more about graduate program selectivity, admission test requirements, and the role that the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) play in the admission process, a two-phase study was conducted. First, the GRE General Test and Subject Test requirements of a broad range (over 12,000) of graduate programs were summarized by examining data in…

Describes two instruments for eliciting student beliefs about language learning and teaching--the Foreign Language Survey (FLAS) and the Beliefs about Language Learning Inventory (BALLI). Representative responses of prospective teachers are discussed to demonstrate the usefulness of this information for the foreign language methods class. (SED)

Although the primary use of the speaking section of the Test of English as a Foreign Language™ Internet-based test (TOEFL® iBT Speaking test) is to inform admissions decisions at English medium universities, it may also be useful as an initial screening measure for international teaching assistants (ITAs). This study provides criterion-related…

Discusses the advantages of using a pretest in introductory agronomy courses. Provides a pretest that has been developed for use in an introductory crops course taught at Southern Illinois University. Includes 25 definitions, 17 true-false and multiple choice questions, and 6 short answer questions. (TW)

The use of a questionnaire to learn of student reactions to their own test behavior, perceived test characteristics, and several aspects of the testing situation for a university psychometric entrance examination is analyzed, and other practical applications of such tests are considered. The questionnaire is included. (MSE)

In order to understand the roles of test scores and diversity characteristics (including race and ethnicity) in the admission process, National Board researchers interviewed admissions directors who worked at selective public and private institutions are well as admissions consultants in the summer and fall of 1999. This report presents an…

A reliability analysis was conducted of an abbreviated, 10-item version of the Pupil Control Ideology Form (PCI), using the Cronbach's alpha technique (L. J. Cronbach, 1951) and the computation of the standard error of measurement. The PCI measures a teacher's orientation toward pupil control. Subjects were 168 preservice teachers from one private…

Reports on a study in which students in a first-year engineering materials class were asked to grade their own examinations, and those of others. Comparisons were then made to the same papers graded by their teachers. (TW)

The purpose of the present study was to assess the use of multiple intelligence assessment instruments as predictor measurements of achievement. The sample included 51 male and female students enrolled in two sections of an introductory psychology course. They were asked to complete the Multiple Intelligences Challenge (MIC) and the Self…

A federally funded project was undertaken at the University of New Hampshire to: (1) determine the feasibility of incorporating specific techniques of oral proficiency evaluation in college-level foreign language courses, (2) create a network of foreign language professors in northern New England colleges and universities trained in the use of…

This study was designed to examine the attitudes of teachers and students in Swedish upper secondary schools in regard to the use of higher education scholastic aptitude test (SAT) scores in lieu of secondary school grades to gain entrance into higher education programs. Since 1991 applicants to higher education have been allowed to take the…

This report is a summary of research that was recently conducted with instructors of distance learning programs. Sixty-two professors from 10 categories of courses completed an e-mail survey. The advantages and disadvantages of assessments seemed to revolve around the key issues of time, synthesis or knowledge acquisition, subjective or objective…