This study develops a procedure for detecting items which are biased for particular ethnic groups and utilizes this procedure to evaluate the fairness of reading, mathematics, and occupational information test items for several ethnic groups. The population for each ethnic group was chosen from examinees administered the 1973 version of the…

What is meant by "accountability" varies a great deal. It is not, however, the tools such as merit salary plans, voucher plans, and management techniques that are used to achieve accountability. Accountability has from its earliest days been tied to testing. In discussing testing, it is necessary to discuss the pros and cons of standardized, or…

One of a series dealing with reading, mathematics, language arts, social studies, science, cultural arts, health, and physical education, this report on language arts is designed to help North Carolina teachers in planning instructional programs for public school students and to inform the general public of students' educational needs and…

The assumptions of the classical test-theory model are used to develop a theory of reliability for criterion-referenced measures which parallels that for norm-referenced measures. It is shown that the Spearman-Brown formula holds for criterion-referenced measures and that the criterion-referenced reliability coefficient can be used to correct…

The orientation of this report is that of identifying educational projects which can be considered truly exemplary. The bulk of the report consists of a 23-step procedure for validating the effectiveness of educational programs using existing evaluation data. It is not intended as a guide for conducting evaluations but rather for interpreting data…

One hundred and two persons were located 25 years after they had taken a Kuder Preference Record (KPR)-B at an average age of 14 years. Fifty-three percent were engaged in occupations consistent with their highest interest scores, although 32 percent were in occupations consistent with their lowest scores. Those in consistent occupations reported…

A comparative study between the Sioux children in this study and the white middle-class children used in standardizing the Illinois Test of Psycho-linguistic Abilities (ITPA) may reveal areas of distinctive differences between the 2 populations in specific language use. The 59 selected Indian children were from the Fort Thompson school, were…

At the 1970 meeting of the American Educational Research Association a symposium, jointly sponsored by the National Council on Measurement in Education, was presented on the topic "Criterion-Referenced Measurement: Emerging Issues." The following papers were presented: "Instructional Technology and the Measurement of Learning Outcomes: Some…

Norm-referenced tests are inappropriate for evaluating health care practitioners; criterion referenced tests better describe what is not being measured. Reliable assessment of competency should focus on the valid testing of reasonable numbers of important skills. Available from: Sage Publications, Inc., 275 South Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills,…

The decline in scholastic aptitude test ( SAT) scores does not signify that the quality of education is lower. To interpret this decline requires an understanding of the testing process, changing racial and sex mix of the test makers, changing lifestyle of youth, and the increase in the number of students taking the SAT. (Author/AM)

The SAT has proved to be a valuable tool in guiding the academic acceleration of mathematically precocious youth. Identified early by their SAT scores, gifted students can enjoy learning at their proper intellectual levels. Results from Johns Hopkins' Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth are reported. (Author/LBH)

Reviews norm-referenced and criterion-referenced testing. (SL)

The purpose for which a test is needed is the most important criterion for deciding which type of student assessment tool should be used. Standardized tests were developed as sorting instruments based upon certain views of knowledge and learning. Educators, according to their own values, must either bring standardized tests more into line with…

In this description of Michigan's state-wide testing program, implemented in 1969, to measure "educational health", the tests are designed to be administered to students in the fourth, seventh and tenth grades, and provide reports on individual students, classroom profiles, and school and district summaries. The author believes the…

Using norm-referenced reading achievement tests as both "criterion referenced" (through repeated administration of the same form at successively higher grade levels) and as norm-referenced (in the usual manner) helps to differentiate individual changes in learning how to read as well as individual differences in gaining information from textual…