The tradition in India of practical/laboratory field work carried out by students individually or in small groups is reviewed, and recommendations for assessing such work are outlined, including such skills as recording observations, interpreting results, planning procedures and techniques for solving special problems. (LBH)

Describes a study to assess values of sixth grade children toward their peer groups and to develop an instrument to measure values. Presents the 49-item inventory which resulted from the study. (Author/DB)

Retrospective pretesting is a method for inferring learning by using the students' recollections of their preinstruction knowledge in lieu of actual pretesting. The most significant problem encountered in such a procedure is establishing the validity of the inferred precourse level of information; attempts to deal with that issue are presented.…

On the basis of questionnaire measures of test anxiety, only those in the rational restructuring condition reported a significant decrease in subjective anxiety when placed in an analogue test-taking situation. Participants in the restructuring condition also reported greater generalized anxiety reduction in social-evaluative situations. (Author)

The author outlines some of the ways in which published mathematics tests, particularly the general standardized type, can be used in a constructive way by teachers to learn more about their pupils. (MN)

Describes the use of computer-generated testing to provide the immediate feedback aspect in a Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) course with large enrollment and only a limited number of teaching assistants available. (SL)

A program for regular testing of mathematical skills that provides information and counseling to students as well as necessary study programs for students in need of improvement is described. (JT)

Presents an engineering education grading scale, A to F, in terms of generally defined competencies. (SL)

The origin and purpose of the Scholastic Aptitude Test is discussed along with the mathematical content of the test, test development and assembly procedures, tryout of new questions, score trends, curricular considerations, and special instruction to improve SAT scores. Thirty sample questions are provided in the Appendix. (MN)

The purposes and content of the ACT Mathematics Usage Test are discussed along with test development, administration, scores and score reports, research, and trends in test scores. Twenty sample questions are provided. (MN)

Presents data from a study which measured social studies curriculum supervisors' rankings of the 66 NCSS Curriculum Guideline statements. Findings indicate that dealing with student concerns within the context of the real world is very important and that systematic program evaluation and the organization of learning experiences are not as…

Two multiple-choice scoring schemes--a partial credit scheme and a dichotomous approach--were compared analyzing means, variances, and reliabilities on alternate measures and student reactions. Students preferred the partial-credit approach, which is recommended if rewarding for partial knowledge is an important concern. (Editor/JT)

Suggests that teachers lack the will, confidence and expertise to decide for themselves what ought to be taught and examined in secondary schools. (Editor)

Examines research measuring 350 teacher's reading skills and points out that their reading skills may be deficient enough to warrant concern. (MB)

This discussion of formative evaluation as part of the instructional design process focuses on developmental testing and expert review. A review of the literature helps define each approach, research on formative evaluation is reviewed, and 37 references are provided. (LRW)