A study was conducted to assess the role of developmental work in preparing Miami-Dade Community College (MDCC) students for the College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST). The study sample included all 808 MDCC students who took the CLAST in fall 1984 and had taken the Comparative Guidance and Placement Test (CGP) upon entering the college. Study…

The consequences of the minimum competency testing movement may bring into question the basic assumptions, goals, and expectations of our school system. The intended use of these tests is the assessment of students; the unintended consequence may be the assessment of the school system. There are two ways in which schools may fail in the context of…

Although there is disagreement among educators about performance standards and their relationship to student performance, performance standards are central to the reforms under way in many states and large school districts, including Philadelphia. They are also mentioned explicitly in the Goals 2000: Educate America Act and in the re-authorization…

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide information to teachers and students about the 1988 Social Studies 30 Diploma Examination. The bulletin includes: (1) a description of the examination; (2) an outline of the objectives to be tested; (3) charts illustrating both the multiple-choice and written-response sections of the examination; (4) the…

The use of standardized tests for program evaluation, student placement, and student progression in order to improve the quality of higher education is discussed. It is noted that student achievement is being used as a criterion for judging programs as part of state assessments. Although standardized test scores have long been used by institutions…

A minimum standards amendment to the New Jersey Public School Act of 1975 requires the testing of public school students to determine proficiency in the minimum basic skills of reading and mathematics, under the auspices of the New Jersey State Department of Education's Educational Assessment Program. To meet the mandates of this amendment, the…

Opinionnaires were sent to one person in each of the 50 states who was knowledgeable about minimum competency testing. Results showed significant differences in opinion, but there was agreement that tests should be used to improve instruction and identify students needing remedial help. (JHZ)

This study analyzed the written accommodation guidelines for students with disabilities in 18 states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia) that use graduation examinations. Each state uses a…

The guide lists 1,097 resources (periodicals, media, books, papers, dissertations, modules, and other items) on the topic of mainstreaming handicapped children. Entries are organized alphabetically by author's last name and include title, source, date and brief description. Twenty-two topics are considered: assessment, attitudes, cooperative…

This document contains clinical evaluation tools that reflect the increasing degrees of independence and competence expected as students move through the sequential clinical courses of an associate degree nursing program. Two tools are provided for each of the seven clinical courses. Tool 1, Program/Course Objectives and Evaluation Criteria,…

The 40 references in this annotated bibliography are intended for educators concerned with assessment of basic speaking and listening skills, especially in the context of minimal competency testing and basic skill improvement programs. The materials cited do the following: (1) address broad assessment issues; (2) review a variety of test…

In order to satisfy the needs of the many adults without a high school diploma, the New York State External High School Diploma Program was developed in 1972 as an alternative high school credentialing program for adults who have acquired skills through their life experiences and can demonstrate these skills in applied performance tests. The…

This handbook contains suggestions for the use of results from the New Mexico High School Proficiencies Examination (NMHSPE) and describes procedures for developing programs and planning intervention strategies. The information and guidelines will facilitate administrative action for program improvement through integration of the NMHSPE results…

The second of two task forces formed to consider the graduation requirements of Hawaii's public education system came to several conclusions and made several recommendations regarding improving the existing program. Among the task force's concerns were making sure graduation requirements were linked to the state department of education's…

The Department of Communication at the University of Oklahoma has developed a test of communication competencies to be administered to potential undergraduate business majors. In developing their list of competencies, department members were aided by previous work by the Speech Communication Association in identifying five broad categories of…