Intended to help the laity find their way through the confusion and controversy surrounding minimum competency testing (MCT), this paper explains what MCT is, acknowledges its limitations, weighs the criticisms, and shows how MCT may be used constructively for the benefit of students and for the improvement of schools. Highlights from the paper…

This handbook is developed as a part of Maryland's accountability program and is intended to assure the required uniformity in test administration procedures, security of test materials, and other matters with the aim of establishing an accountability assessment system which is fair to students, staff, schools, and school systems. Special…

Reviews selected research, widely-used commercial tests, and recent literature on critical thinking. States that evaluation of critical thinking processes should encompass more than simple tests. Concludes with six guidelines for evaluating critical thinking. (JDH)

Article 77, Section 28a, of the Annotated Code of the Laws of Maryland, commonly called the Maryland Educational Accountability Program (MAAP), was passed in 1972 by the Maryland General Assembly. This act should insure when properly implemented, that educational programs: (1) lead to the attainment of established educational objectives, (2)…

Reports the efforts of the California Assessment Program (CAP) to interject critical thinking items into its new statewide social studies tests. Provides definitions of the critical thinking skills tested by the 8th grade social studies CAP test, and lists 100 critical thinking skills vocabulary words. (JDH)

This operations manual for field staff (site monitors, site coordinators, and testers) involved in the observation and testing of children is part of a series of documents on the evaluation of Project Developmental Continuity (PDC), a Head Start demonstration program aimed at providing educational and developmental continuity between children's…

A number of brief papers are presented to provide guidelines for test directors of school systems. This collection is intended for both newly appointed and experienced directors. Contributions were solicited from practicing directors of testing; the authors include Anthony J. Allen, Margaret Backman, Joan Bollenbacker, Gerald Hanna, James Lawson;…

The packet contains materials for use in a workshop intended to increase educators' sensitivity to possible discriminatory factors in testing instruments and practices. Among the materials are directions for leaders on preparing and running the workshop; 20 booklets entitled "How Can Tests Be Unfair?" for workshop participants; and…

This guide is a compilation of factors considered important in the selection of tests for bilingual/bicultural programs. It is intended for use by test selectors or teachers in bilingual education, and does not presume to be exhaustive or authoritative. Basically the guide consists of questions the test selector or teacher should ask when…

Public Law 94-142 provides safeguards to assure that materials and procedures utilized for the purposes of evaluation and placement of handicapped children be selected and administered so as to avoid racial and cultural discrimination. This publication is designed to provide the educational community with information to assist them in bringing…

This guide is concerned with the increasing number of women returning to college and the need for academic, personal and vocational counseling programs specifically designed for them. Barriers are presented which affect re-entry women but which can be alleviated through counseling. A wide range of ways in which institutions can be more responsive…

This brief monograph, intended for preschool teachers and administrators, explains various aspects of the assessment and evaluation of children and early childhood education programs. The value of evaluation procedures for program development is noted. The different forms that research designs and tests can take are explained. It is emphasized…

This is a teacher's guide for "Poor Simpleton," a language test designed for students of English in bilingual programs. The guide explains the nature of the test, how to administer and score it, and how to analyze test results. The test is a modified version of the cloze procedure. Unlike most cloze tests, which are…

This combined discussion guide and questionnaire, intended for public or professional audiences, consists of three major sections. The first section is a narrative background description of major issues, options, and arguments for minimum competency testing: Will you test minimum competencies? What competencies will you require? How will you…

Various legal issues associated with teacher evaluation and significant court decisions are summarized in this handbook. Three major legal issues are defined: (1) failure of the school district to follow due process when terminating tenured and non-tenured teachers, or when abolishing positions; (2) discrimination in employment and promotion, or…