To address the needs and interests of primary stakeholders in a writing program, this article presents a model of "grassroots" assessment that involves instructors from all ranks as well as students in the development, facilitation, and interpretation of assessment results. The authors describe two assessment plans that measured student…

This paper discusses the development of a program of writing instruction across the curriculum at William Jewell College. It reports on a series of faculty forums that discussed what the college-wide standards for effective writing should be, investigated multidisciplinary instruction in writing, and considered a proficiency test. Descriptions of…

In an ongoing experiment in the basic public speaking course at Miami University (Ohio), an attempt has been made to devise a testing approach that preserves the viability of the evaluation process and, at the same time, is efficient to administer and acceptable to students as a measure of what they have learned while performing. The alteration of…

This report describes a standardized testing service for multiple school districts. The testing center of the Wabash Valley Supplementary Educational Center was established through Title III of the Elementary Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The center offers four services to an eight county area: testing materials, scoring, materials development,…

Establishing and supporting a theoretical view in favor of assessment and evaluation as an adjunct to psychotherapy is clearly a difficult task in view of current anti-testing biases. But translating that viewpoint into practical terms within the environment of an emerging university can prove to be every bit as difficult. The current paper treats…

Respondents to a 1982-83 survey of assessment practices in California's community colleges identified Sacramento City College (SCC), Fullerton College (FC), Sierra College (SC), and Victor Valley College (VVC) as having the most effective assessment/placement programs in the state. Interviews conducted on-site with at least three staff members…

To comply with the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) and with explicit federal guidelines for equal employment opportunity, local employment and training agencies funded by CETA need to develop client assessment programs. This volume and its companion are designed for this purpose. Five original program descriptions, and findings…

This paper explores the potential psychoeducational value of a perceptual-motor screening program designed to evaluate kindergarten and first grade children in a public elementary school. The possibility of providing such a service within the framework of a university training program is examined, and the value to the university and the community…

Competency testing in New York State began in the nineteenth century, first with a local testing mandate and later with the "preliminary Regents examinations," which were administered at the end of the eighth grade. Optional competency tests were introduced in 1962, and in 1976 the Board of Regents mandated the passing of a series of…

Information regarding state minimum competency testing programs was requested from the 50 state departments of education in the United States in the spring of 1979. The following questions were asked: (1) Do you have a testing program? (2) If you do, what tests are being used? (3) Do you have a testing program in the planning stages? (4) Are there…

Activities of the Test Development and Research Office (TEDRO), a division of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), are described. The WAEC is an international educational and professional testing organization established to serve its four member countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia. The U.S. Agency for International…

The essays in this collection attempt to provide a conceptual framework for the process of occupational curriculum development. The collection includes: (1) "Federal Government Involvement in Technical Curriculum Development," by John G. Nealon; (2) "The Challenge of Curriculum Development: From Idea to Reality," by Judith F. Raulf and Marilyn C.…

This document, fourth in a series, describes trends in statewide assessment programs. It is based on surveys conducted in the past for the Association of State Assessment Programs. States were asked to describe the assessment programs they operated during the 1995-96 school year. Part One of the survey asks each state to describe its existing…

The fifth edition of the "Annual Survey of State Student Assessment Programs," tabulates extensive and detailed information about each state's assessment programs based on surveys conducted in the past for the Association of State Assessment Programs. The entire survey is presented. Part One asks each state to describe its existing…

Three conference sessions focused on attempts to implement minimum competency testing programs at various educational levels. In each of the sessions particular attention was paid to planning for the development of a minimum competency testing program; the processes of development, initiation, and interpretation of the results; and difficulties…