To assess the effect of summer vacation on the overall reading ability of first through fifth graders, as measured by norm-referenced and criterion-referenced reading tests, a study was conducted involving 84 children. In the spring testing, the researcher administered the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test, Form 1, and the Wisconsin Tests of Reading…

A wide range of standardized tests and measures, including the Scholastic Aptitude Test and the American College Testing Program, reveals a distinct pattern of student performance decline beginning in the mid 1960s and continuing into the present. It seems unlikely that this is primarily a result of bias or other inadequacies in the tests. Part of…

This report presents results of cognitive ability tests administered to 3 to 5-year olds who were graduating from Parent-Child Center (PCC) programs in 14 cities. PCC programs are designed to maximize the potentialities of low income preschoolers through in-center, home-based, or in-center/home-based combination programs. The findings reflected…

Tests are described that were given to 1,000 students randomly selected at grade 7-9 levels with an equal representation from both sexes. Participants were selected from two junior high schools in North York for a study comparing students in a regular physical education program to those in a program to develop cardiovascular endurance. The first…

Despite their advantages over other assessment techniques, current achievement and ability tests are not especially efficient sources of information for the range of educational decisions for which they are used and relied upon. Two major types of tests, criterion-referenced and norm-referenced, and two types of use, student evaluation and program…

A technique that can be used in the evaluation of program effectiveness focuses on differences between schools or programs at the item level rather than at the level of total test score. The technique was used to compare the results of norm and objective-reference mathematics achievement tests administered to Michigan fourth graders. (Author/JAC)

Institutional averages of entering freshman scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the American College Test (ACT) were combined and edited to produce a single institutional measure of selectivity for 2,601 institutions. Correlations were made between scores and 19 institutional attributes. (Editor/LBH)

This article addresses criterion-referenced vs. norm-referenced tests. Its purpose is to help the reader become acquainted with the uses, accountability, advantages, and statistical differences between these two types of tests. (Author)

This study analyzed user manuals and technical supplements of 27 aptitude and achievement tests to determine whether disabled children were included in development of the tests' norms, items, reliability indices, and validity indices. Most test developers provided scant evidence that their tests were valid for use with disabled students. (JDD)

Evaluation of the cumulative files of 143 severely disabled students (ages 6 to 20 years) in five school districts indicated: (1) a lack of appropriate technically adequate norm-referenced tests, (2) technical adequacy not a major determinant in test selection, and (3) less frequent use (than expected) of criterion-referenced and adaptive behavior…

Reviews the Curriculum Referenced Tests of Mastery that are intended to measure achievement, with the emphasis on measuring what a student has learned rather than predicting future success in school, concluding that the tests are worthy of consideration by any district. (HOD)

Assigning grades is an integral part of social work education. However, social work educators must decide whether to use norm-referenced or criterion-referenced measurements to grade exams and other assignments. This paper presents arguments for grading with both norm-referenced and criterion-referenced measurements. The benefits of…

Different kinds of tests are given to determine student achievement. Standardized achievement tests are often used, but have many limitations. They may be useful in determining the content students should learn and its relevance for future learning and the curriculum. Criterion referenced tests eliminate a major weakness of standardized tests in…

Traditional norm-referenced measurement has received criticism concerning cultural unfairness. Responses to such accusations primarily have consisted of new instrumentation aimed at a culture-fair assessment. Little response has addressed a conceptual standpoint concerning issues of purpose and use of test results. Although many have turned to…

Represents a collection of normative data for the survey of reading attitudes using a sample of (N=90) inner city remedial readers. Reliability estimates for Expressed Reading Difficulty and Reading as Enjoyment justify their use in making inferences about students. Lowest reliability was for Alternative Learning Modes. (JAC)