The study was designed to examine the similarity of response options generated by different item writers using a systematic approach to item writing. The similarity of response options to student responses for the same item stems presented in an open-ended format was also examined. A non-systematic (subject matter expertise) approach and a…

The effects of physical modifications of the minimum competency test on the performance of third grade learning disabled (LD) students (n=345) on versions of a Florida state minimum competency test are evaluated. The test modifications included alterations in line length, groupings of items, answer formats, administration procedures, as well as…

A behavioral domain is well-defined when it is clear to both test developers and test users which categories of performance should or should not be considered for potential test items. Only those tests that are keyed to well-defined domains meet the definition of criterion-referenced tests. The greatest proliferation of criterion-referenced tests…

Teachers' perceptions of the effectiveness of thirty teaching techniques were examined through responses to a questionnaire. Participating teachers were 424 elementary, junior high, and high school teachers in a school district in western Pennsylvania. The schools were classified as inner-city, other-city, and suburban. The data were analyzed by…

Effects of item arrangement (easy-hard, uniform, and random), test anxiety, and sex on a 48-item multiple-choice mathematics test assembled from items of the American College Testing Program and taken by motivated upper level undergraduates and beginning graduate students were investigated. Four measures of anxiety were used: the Achievement Test…

What effect varying the phrasing of attitude statements would have across sex and grade was determined. Three content parallel forms were developed to assess student attitudes toward integration. Each form contained 15 items and differed only in terms of item phrasing either positive, negative or a combination of both. Six hundred and twenty-two,…

Research related to the multiple choice test item is reported, as it is conducted by educational technologists in Japan. Sato's number of hypothetical equivalent alternatives is introduced. The based idea behind this index is that the expected uncertainty of the m events, or alternatives, be large and the number of hypothetical, equivalent…

The traditional vehicle for collection of information from parents about a school's goals is a questionnaire that provides alternative goal statements. Two problems are frequently associated with such questionnaires: the goal lists suggest that a school can achieve all desired goals simultaneously; and many surveys use stimulus questions that are…

Student performance on an undergraduate honors degree was examined using four different assessment methods (traditional examinations, examination on questions seen ahead of testing, case studies, and student projects). Performance is best when a variety of evaluation methods are combined and that weaker students perform best when traditional…

Argues that instruction in thinking skills must be regularly assessed in the classroom. Offers an example of a basic format for testing thinking skills. Concludes that teachers must test thinking skills if such skills are to be valued by students. (JDH)

Olson's Circumplex Model hypothesizes that cohesiveness and adaptability dimensions measured on Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES) have a curvilinear relationship with family functioning. Study testing curvilinear hypothesis indicated that FACES II and III did not adequately operationalize curvilinear hypothesis. Findings…

Describes the process of developing an essay topic for large group scoring. Proposes guidelines for test development committees, and emphasizes the importance of accessibility and reader perspective in the formation of test questions. (MM)

Reviews a writing abilities competency test based on samples of essay writing. A copy of the test is appended. (NKA)

Reviews research dealing with test wiseness and concludes that teachers and others who administer tests and those who review results should consider the degree to which test wiseness characteristics might have been operative had a planned effort been undertaken to provide special instruction. (FL)

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships of certain cognitive variables to problem-solving performance. Cognitive restructuring, spatial ability, reading comprehension, and mathmatical story problems tests presented in a regular verbiage, low verbiage, and drawn formats were given to students in grades three through seven.…