Much of the argument about comparability of examination standards is at cross-purposes; contradictory positions are in fact often both defensible, but they are using the same words to mean different things. To clarify this, two broad conceptualisations of standards can be identified. One sees the standard in the observed phenomena of performance…

The rank-ordering method for standard maintaining was designed for the purpose of mapping a known cut-score (e.g. a grade boundary mark) on one test to an equivalent point on the test score scale of another test, using holistic expert judgements about the quality of exemplars of examinees' work (scripts). It is a novel application of an old…

Robert Coe has claimed that three broad conceptions of comparability can be identified from the literature: performance, statistical and conventional. Each of these he rejected, in favour of a single, integrated conception which relies upon the notion of a "linking construct" and which he termed "construct comparability".…

This brief introduction to testing is geared to parents. Types of tests are defined, such as standardized tests, achievement tests, norm referenced tests, criterion referenced tests, and aptitude tests. Various types of scores (grade equivalent, percentile rank, and stanine are also defined, and the uses made of tests by administrators, teachers,…

It is important for counselors to understand the problems involved in testing students and also how to properly evaluate test results. This article discusses both areas. (HMV)

Three key areas are outlined dealing with the development of public understanding of testing: (1) Why tests are administered in schools: needs assessment, instructional program evaluation, materials selection, reporting to public, documenting individual growth, diagnostic analysis and planning, and instructional grouping. (2) Types of tests used,…

Reviews the 1974 Standards, an updating serving as a guide to test making and publishing, and training of persons for these endeavors. (DEP)

A series of questions designed to challenge school administrators to reconsider the purposes, selection, use, and interpretation of tests and test results in their school programs. (Author/DN)

Several issues are related to the use of educational tests. First, test users must be able to choose appropriate tests, interpret scores, and make decisions based on scores. In the field of educational testing, few test users have adequate training in these areas. Second, test makers must clearly specify directions for administration, allowable…

Part of a series which offers educational resources and teaching techniques related to major social issues to high school social studies teachers, the booklet describes and reproduces a test measuring students' economic literacy. Part I is the test manual, which explains the objectives, value, development, and two-form structure of the test. It…

The purpose of this booklet is to provide social studies teachers with student writing samples that exemplify the criteria used to score students' responses on the June 1987 Alberta (Canada) Social Studies 30 Diploma Examination. Students choose one of two possible essay questions that required writing a defense of individual initiative in…

The reading comprehension tests, one for nine-year-olds usually in grade 3 and one for thirteen-year-olds usually in grade 7, were developed from released items on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The tests were constructed to assess student achievement against a national norm, by comparing individual student scores to the national…

A strong stand against the use of College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) scores to evaluate high school language programs is developed in this position paper. Equally criticized is the practice of teacher evaluation based on analysis of student achievement as reflected in the scores. The mystery of determining the significance of percentile…

Information regarding the various publishers' priorities and data to support the supposition that the test publishers do differ in their priorities as reflected in their test characteristics, are presented. Evaluation ratings available for 1,600 published scales appropriate for grades 1, 3, 5, and 6 were from 39 publishers and distributers. A…

The volume of test-norms and expectancy tables is intended as a tool for counselors in counseling individuals. The work contains a chapter on test interpretation to assist the counselor in relating individual test scores to other information about the individual. In the Minnesota Norms section of the tables, there are no data at the elementary…