Work samples are commonly used to aid in the assessment of a client's potential for functioning in various competitive occupations. To determine an individual's position relative to a particular reference group the most commonly used norms are those based on scores of other clients who have performed a specific work sample, and performance scores…

The logic, i.e. the purposes, assumptions and implications of using performance objectives in evaluating schools is reviewed. The distinctions are recognized between standards for individuals and standards for groups as well as the distinction between normative and criterion-referenced standards. It is not appropriate to set standards for types of…

In choosing between criterion-referenced and norm-referenced measurement strategy we should consider the nature of the decisions to be based on the resulting scores. If the decision involves selecting some fixed quota from the high (or low) end of an available competence continuum, then norm-referenced measurement is indicated. If, however, the…

Contained in this packet on standardized tests and testing in English is a miscellany of materials written by students, teachers, researchers, test makers, and others about the uses, abuses, and misuses of standardized tests. The materials are not intended to be a definitive study of the standardized test in English but rather to provoke…

The definitions of norm-reference" and "criterion-referenced" tests and the applications of them are discussed. A norm-referenced test is one that yields scores which are interpreted through the use of norms. Applications of these include survey achievement tests, college selection tests, aptitude batteries, and armed services classification…

Notes that there is no pedagogical or psychological research or evaluation to date to justify the use of norm-referenced standardized tests as precision tools. At best, they are experimental instruments, yet they are used as if they are already proven to be valid. (Author/AM)

Criticizes Robert Slavin's "best evidence" rejection of mastery learning research for being potentially biased, highly subjective, and misleading. Apparently, Slavin threw out studies of less than four weeks' duration, discounted certain nonclassroom results achieved by teachers, and rejected studies not using standardized,…

This module describes a method for weighting various measures of student achievement, such as examinations and home assignments, in order to combine these measures into a final grade. Standard deviation methods receive extensive attention. (TJH)

Test scores are among the many ways to find out how well a child is doing in school. Test scores allow parents to compare their child's performance with that of other students in the same grade at the school and with other students across North Carolina. However, test scores should always be considered along with all other available information…

This paper discusses the validity of test preparation practices in the context of large-scale norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests. It presents a framework for conceptualizing the various aspects of test preparation that includes the basic premises underlying the validity of the practices. Five areas of test preparation are outlined: (1)…

Test publishers have promoted their commercially available norm-referenced achievement tests as viable solutions to assessment challenges faced by states. They argue that their tests are developed professionally and therefore possess sound psychometric properties not often found in state-specific efforts. This study compared judgments from two…

Article shows how intelligence, readiness and achievement tests can be put to work in the classroom-not only as diagnostic tools but as aids in prescribing cures for learning problems. (Author)

Analysis of three evaluation systems: 1) norm referenced achievement tests; 2) criterion referenced evaluation; 3) norm-based tests as criterion instruments. (Author/SP)

It was the author's purpose in this short discussion to suggest that testing and grading should help the student learn better without excessive pressure of time or competition. (Author)

A structure for describing different approaches to testing is generated by identifying five dimensions along which tests differ: test uses, item generation, item revision, assessment of precision, and validation. These dimensions are used to profile tests of reading comprehension. Only norm-referenced achievement tests had an inference system…