Currently, there is a paucity of research concerning the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform's Schools to Watch national school improvement program. Of the handful of existing studies, very few have examined or addressed student learning or achievement. In this this study we systematically collected and analyzed data from the 34…

The National Assessment Program -- Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) in Australia is a series of literacy and numeracy tests that are used for purposes of school comparison. This paper argues that a key question for this use lies in whether or not this is a reasonable, or valid, use of the test data. Using Kane's argumentative approach to validity,…

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…

This paper discusses the relationship of the content of nationally standardized and normed achievement tests and that of local school curricula and the effect that relationship has on the meanings and uses of the test scores. The following questions are considered: (1) whether tests have to match what is taught to be useful; (2) whether it is fair…

The purpose of this study was to develop a testing method for the assessment of various types of writing at the elementary school level that would meet acceptable standards for educational measurement instruments as well as standards of utility and feasibility within a given educational system. The study was conducted within the framework of an…

This report provides information about the performance of 1991 graduating seniors nationwide who took the American College Testing (ACT) Program Assessment as juniors or seniors. All the average scores in this report are on the scale for the Enhanced ACT Assessment, which was introduced in October 1989. Averages for 1987-89 are based on scores…

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…

Statistics in this report reflect characteristics of 1991 graduates from a given school (individual data, however, are not provided in this sample) who took the American College Testing (ACT) Program assessment. A 5-year trend history of college-bound students is provided. The following tables are presented: (1) average ACT scores by academic…