Supports government policy of encouraging examination reform in universities in India through the setting up of Question Banks which would contain tested examination questions and statistical information on their validity and reliability. Suggests guidelines for development and use of the question banks by organizations and universities. (JT)

The evolution of the relationship between the College Entrance Examination Board and the Educational Testing Service is outlined, and five aspects of the current cooperative relationship are noted: contractual agreements, shared tasks, specific membership needs, moral obligations to the educational community, and tradition. (MSE)

Seven sample age subgroups were selected from official score reports from the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) to determine age cohort performance on the CLEP English Composition examination. The 154 CLEP English Composition score reports received by the Community College of Allegheny County (Pennsylvania) between July 1983 and June 1985…

A report is given of the work of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and the implications of introducing a new status--the board-certified teacher--into the educational system. The newly formed board will sponsor the development of procedures for the voluntary certification of teachers to a standard of advanced competence--a…

Egalitarianism in public education must mean students have not only equal opportunity to attend school but also equal intellectual opportunities. Some solutions include a redefined mission for public education, new techniques for teaching rigorous academic subjects to non-elite students, improved school environments, and a national testing system…

Lessons learned in changing a large-scale testing program are outlined. The redesigned Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) will be administered in spring 1994. Major changes for the verbal SAT section include more emphasis on critical reading, longer and more accessible passages, measurement of vocabulary in context, and use of double passages with two…

This study compared the different modes of evaluation at work in Greece's secondary school graduation and university admission process. The goals of the study were (1) to provide background information regarding the contribution of in-school assessment scores and external examination scores to higher education admissions decisions, and (2) to…

The Scottish Vocational Education Council's National Certificate has its origins in the Scottish Education Department's (SED's) decision to rationalize the provision of certification for non-advanced further education in Scotland under one body. This report presents case studies of assessments of students performed by colleges in Scotland, based…

The College Outcome Measures Program (COMP) and its role in an era when standardized testing is being questioned and authentic assessment is championed are discussed. Authentic assessment should not mean discarding measurement expertise and existing technology. It is an approach to measuring the quality and level of performance that uses real…

The role of expert judges in establishing the content validity of the National Teacher Examinations (NTE) was examined in a detailed study. The NTE are used in 22 states for screening applicants to teacher education programs and/or for screening candidates for initial teacher certification. Such extensive use of the NTE has stimulated 35 recent…

This compilation of reprinted journal and newspaper articles covers the following topics: (1) The Front Lines; (2) Federal Policy; (3) Charter Schools; (4) School Choice; (5) Standards, Tests, and Accountability; (6) Teacher Quality; (7) Curriculum and Content; (8) Higher Education; and (9) Grab Bag. Each section is preceded by commentaries on…

Examining testing practices in other countries can help formulate ideas and issues in establishing a national assessment system in the United States. Based on recent reports by the Office of Technology and Assessment and the National Endowment for the Humanities, this digest provides an overview of the national examinations in several European…

Discusses issues related to standardized testing and a national art curriculum. Maintains that cultural diversity among students makes valid and fair assessment difficult. Argues that teachers should be trained in the use of authentic assessment methods. (CFR)