The literature concerning the appropriateness of 9 norm-referenced survey achievement tests for use with Mexican American migrant students in grades 1 through 7 in Texas is reviewed in this report, which provides an evaluation of each test by the Center for the Study of Evaluation. The report provides the following information for each test: (1)…

New strategies for evaluation criterion referenced measures (CRM) are discussed. These strategies examine the following issues: (1) the use of normed referenced measures (NRM) as CRM and then estimating the reliability and validity of such measures in terms of variance from an arbitrarily specified criterion score, (2) estimation of the…

The development and use of the GATB in the United States is presented by a Canadian author. The history of establishing the norms for the GATB is also discussed. The use of the GATB as a counseling and selection tool is outlined while another section of the article points out the advantages and disadvantages of the test battery. There are also…

Performance of norms group on Reading and Arithmetic subtests of WRAT was compared with that of a representative national sampling. Systematic differences were found between the two data sets, and effects of these differences on current norms were illustrated. Norms tend to underestimate subject's achievement level relative to general population.…

Reports progress in the Australian Item Bank Program to publish 2,500 multiple choice questions in science suitable for grades 8 to 12. (SL)

This article discusses the development, field test, and uses of the counseling-orientation scale (COS), a scale for assessing relative preferences for seven major counseling orientations. Procedures used to develop and validate it are presented. The COS field test, reliability, and normative data are described. (Author)

The problems in educational diagnosis of the exceptional student, particularly the use of norm referenced testing, are pointed out; and an alternative approach, criterion referenced assessment, is suggested. (SBH)

Sets criteria for social and educational adequacy of standardized tests. Drawing an analogy, the author says people would not subject themselves to medical tests unless they could anticipate a diagnosis and, if all is not lost, a treatment. Says standardized tests are not diagnostic, serve to maintain inequality, and should not be continued.…

Separate-sex norms are no longer applicable for the interpretation of aptitude test scores. The Differential Aptitude Tests must adopt combined-sex norms in order to remain as an effective measurement and counseling instrument. (Author)

Support for the validity of the equipercentile assumption is presented in contrast with the conclusion of Powers, Slaughter, and Helmick (EJ 289 091). Observed "gains" from pre- to posttests are better attributed to stakeholder bias, posttests that match curriculum content too closely, or a combination of these factors. (Author/DWH)

A recommendation to renorm the Bayley Scales of Infant Development is based on (1) high scores obtained on infants in rural North Carolina (N=305); (2) published means for other samples of infants born in the 1970s; (3) recent age placement revisions of items on the Gesell Developmental Examination. (Author/JW)

While studying testing programs in juvenile incarceratory facilities, the authors found that there may be racial bias in the tests, test items, and in the interpretation of the tests. This article presents new data that have emerged from their original study. The focus is on performance on standardized norm-referenced tests. (CT)

The need for an ecological approach to cognitive assessment of preschool-aged children is discussed. Purposes of and popular approaches for cognitive assessment are presented. Tests and techniques are reviewed, and implications for the practice of psychology in the schools are discussed. (Author/LMO)

Norm-referenced standardized achievement tests are designed for obtaining group scores which can vary widely, depending on not only the measure of central tendency but also the type of derived score employed. This situation is hypothesized to be the result of using inappropriate statistical procedures to develop publishers' scaled scores.…

Offers personal reflections on the testing of writing, concluding that teachers make wide and effective use of a variety of test types. (FL)