Questionnaires returned by 285 graduates were used to survey perceptions of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination in terms of adequacy to measure competence, difficulty level, need for more rigor, and usefulness in upgrading standards. The results suggest that education graduates do not necessarily dismiss the value of a certification…

Ways of attempting to ensure competence in teaching reading have changed dramatically over the past 60 years. By comparing tests designed to be administered to 1923 and 1983 teacher candidates, this article illustrates the ways in which they are qualitatively different and considers the implications of those differences. (MT)

The educational reform movement has brought a mandate to test prospective teachers from training entry through exit and certification. Concentrating upon recent literature, this report explores current trends and policies in teacher testing. A review of what tests measure and how tests are being used is included. The negative impact of testing on…

This article discusses the range of validation studies conducted in Kansas in examining the validity of the National Teachers' Examination as a certification test for that state. It is argued that the validation of certification tests calls for a wider range of studies than typically are undertaken. (JAZ)

This paper examines the major issues to be faced and the decisions to be made in the development and administration of basic competency tests used for the certification of teachers. The focus is on the use of competency tests as criteria in determining the initial certification of teachers, as differentiated from the ongoing observation and…

Performance tests should be required for certification of all public and private school teachers. Tests that are validated against actual job performance--which evaluate actual knowledge, skills, and professional ethics that produce educational and social benefits--should be used. (CJB)

Teacher certification issues are considered from the perspective of blacks in the profession. It is argued that teacher certification tests mandated by states threaten to reduce significantly the number of new minority teachers and seriously harm the historically black institutions of higher education that train teachers. The development of…

The President of the National Council on Measurement in Education replies to his critics. He argues that the concept of measurement error should not be used to make cut-scores more valid and that grade point averages have not been demonstrated to be valid indicators of teachers' subject matter competence. (LMO)

The Connecticut Teacher Assessment Center Project has, since 1986, been developing a semistructured interview in the area of mathematics to evaluate beginning teacher competence. The strategy for validation of the project's performance tests, Connecticut's reform initiatives, and implications of systematic validity for traditional psychometric…

This study was conducted to: (1) determine the validity of five Educational Testing Service (ETS) tests as measures of the knowledge and academic skills required for specific endorsements of professional public school personnel in Arkansas; and (2) formulate recommendations on minimum qualifying scores for tests that are valid to use for…

This bulletin describes the technical adequacy of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination and includes discussions on establishing test reliability, test validity, passing scores, and protecting the test from cultural or ethnic bias. Chapter I describes the development of the examination: (1) development, identification, and validation of…

Before using the National Teacher Examinations (NTE) for teacher certification, states are required to conduct a state-wide validity study. This paper describes approaches used in 35 studies for 18 states to establish (NTE) content validity through curriculum and job relatedness and to establish minimum performance standards. (BS)

Evidence of the validity of the National Teacher Examinations' (NTEs') Early Childhood Education Test (ECET) as it is used in the New York City School System is presented. The NTE Core Battery and Specialty Area Tests are used as part of the alternative process for teacher licensure in New York City. The ECET measures knowledge and skills required…

Two central aspects of the teacher-testing movement are addressed: (1) assumptions that form the basis for the prescription that teachers should be tested; and (2) the various domains in which testing might take place. Recommendations for teacher education institutions concerning appropriate use of competency testing are given. (PP)

This report assesses the impact of testing on the national minority teaching force. Its central focus examines the impact of teacher competency tests on prospective minority teachers and, where data are available, the impact of testing on veteran teachers is assessed. State-by-state profiles are presented. A case study of a single state, Florida,…