Describes the outcomes and discusses possible implications for the development of assessment with a Computer Algebra System (CAS) when a group of undergraduate mathematics students, familiar with using a CAS in examinations, tackled an assortment of traditional (i.e., non-CAS type) questions. (Author/MM)

Develops a sensitive and specific pre-semester assessment for students enrolled in general chemistry for science majors that would identify students at risk for failing the course. The student pre-semester assessment (SPSA) predicted 40.8% of the students who went on to fail first-semester general chemistry. It was a better predictor of at-risk…

Looks at a sample conversation and examines layers of interpretation that different academic traditions have constructed to interpret it. Reviews studies that have compared the discourse of oral interaction in assessment with oral discourse in contexts outside the assessment. Discusses studies that related ways of speaking to cultural values of…

Discusses the role of gender in speaking tests and suggests that in oral interviews it is possible that both interviewing and rating may be highly gendered processes. Audiotaped female and male test-takers who undertook practice IELTS interviews, one with a female interviewer and once with a male interviewer. Results from discourse and test score…

Results of Public Agenda survey of 853 superintendents and 909 principals about problems they face in carrying out their jobs reveal concerns with bureaucracy, workload, funding, accountability, teacher tenure, and university administrator preparation programs. Asked administrators to rate approaches to improve their working conditions. Draws…

A pilot study used the Spanish Oral Proficiency Test (SOPT)--a taped oral test--to evaluate the oral proficiency level of students of intermediate Spanish. Also examined what variables might affect the development of students' oral skills. (Author/VWL)

Describes an easy-to-administer test of productive vocabulary that requires subjects to produce a set of word association responses to a small set of stimulus words. Argues that such a test might tap the extent of nonnative speakers' productive vocabulary more effectively than other tests in current use. (Author/VWL)

Discusses usability testing for Web sites and explains how librarians can implement the methods needed to evaluate their library Web sites. Highlights include reviewing other library Web sites; defining the users; defining test objectives that are linked to user needs; administering the tests; and pertinent resources. (LRW)

Addresses the area of validating the match between intended and actual test-taker language with respect to a blueprint of language functions representing the construct of spoken language ability. Discusses an observation checklist designed for both a prioria and a posteriori analysis of speaking task output. (Author/VWL)

The passage of "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) legislation has led to an increased awareness of testing and assessment in public school systems and its impact. A cursory review of the academic literature and national news sources on the impact of standardized testing revealed a plethora of anecdotal cases of students experiencing illness,…

The authors examined whether the influence of reading purpose on reported use of text-processing strategies was moderated by students' prior knowledge about the topic of the text. Using multiple regression analyses with interaction terms, they found that the effect of reading purpose on reported use of memorization and elaboration strategies…

This study examines young children's number sense in subjects from Finland (n =254), Hong Kong (n =246), and Singapore (n =130). Chinese, English and Finnish versions of the Early Numeracy Test (ENT; Van Luit et al., 1994) were used. Two highly correlated aspects of number sense were measured, one reflecting children's abilities to organize and…

The education landscape is changing as a result of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). How is it changing, and who is most affected? The reports presented in this article examine the impact of NCLB, highlight educators' concerns, and recommend improvements. These reports include: (1) "From the Capital to the Classroom: Year 4 of the No Child Left…

Relations among academic stress, depression, and suicidal ideation were examined in 1,108 Asian adolescents 12-18 years old from a secondary school in Singapore. Using Baron and Kenny's [J Pers Soc Psychol 51:1173-1192, 1986] framework, this study tested the prediction that adolescent depression mediated the relationship between academic stress…

Standard 13 of the International Technology Education Association's Standards for Technological Literacy (2000/2002) document states that, "Students will develop abilities to assess the impact of products and systems" (p. 133), Students should be aided in critically assessing products they design, as well as those professionally produced. This can…