Discusses problems inherent in testing translation students and emphasizes that the test of a translation student will depend primarily on the aim of the course concerned, e.g. tests of students in metalinguistic-awareness-oriented courses will focus on items attesting to metalinguistic knowledge rather than a mere competence in the languages per…

An A-level General Studies candidate expresses frustration that questions in the administered examination have little relevance for environmental issues. Argues that the General Studies category is a good fit for environmental studies as students could better apply concerns about environmental issues through the broadening experiences afforded by…

The summary cloze technique offers an alternative to multiple choice. Summary cloze exercises are prepared by summarizing the content of the original text. The shortened text is transformed into a rational cloze exercise. The learner completes the summary text using the list of choices provided. This technique is a good measure of reading…

Defines computer assisted language testing (CALT), discusses the various processes involved, outlines the advantages and disadvantages, and examines psychometric aspects of computer testing. A table of factors distinguishes between test content and the mechanics of test taking. These factors constitute a table for developing a CALT checklist. (24…

This study is the National Board of Medical Examiners exploration of content-based techniques (standard-setting techniques in which pass/fail decisions are based upon the performance of examinees in relation to test content). Two content-based techniques (Angoff and Ebel) and three methods of evaluating examinee performance were studied. (MLW)

Examines the similarities and differences in the methodologies and findings of six projects that investigated the statutory testing of 11-year-old children in England and Wales. Reveals a similarity of results despite a diversity of methods. Reviews the findings in relation to other research and provides suggestions for future research methods.…

Examines some of the key issues related to measuring social support and identifies 28 instruments which have been used in research with pregnant adolescents. Defines the major external and internal variables that affect social support and offers relevant questions to guide researchers in the selection of social support instruments. (RJM)

This article provides an overview of strength-based assessment of children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders and discusses the development and psychometric characteristics of the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale (BERS). The BERS is a norm-referenced, standardized test that assesses the strengths of children and…

Comments on some features of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Describes the NAEP assessment of student achievement in theater. Evaluates the NAEP assessment in theater, focusing on (1) what can be learned from the assessment, (2) what the NAEP is assessing, and (3) the authenticity of the assessment. (CMK)

This article describes development of the Test for Manual Dexterity in Visually Impaired Children. The test was used to chart manual skills of 66 Norwegian children with visual impairments and 67 controls, and found significant differences among sighted children, children with low vision, and children who were blind. (Author/CR)

Studied the organizational issues that arose in the implementation of portfolio assessment in 11 eighth and ninth grade classrooms in Ontario, Canada during the field trial of a generic content selection framework. Results suggest the formulation of three sets of research hypotheses related to organizational issues in the portfolio implementation…

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of four item selection rules--(1) Fisher information (F), (2) Fisher information with a posterior distribution (FP), (3) Kullback-Leibler information with a posterior distribution (KP), and (4) completely randomized item selection (RN)--with respect to the precision of trait estimation and the…

In order to obtain concrete information to improve test writing, this study analyzes 13 achievement test drafts written by graduate teaching assistants, lecturers, and adjunct faculty teaching introductory and intermediate college Spanish. The analysis focuses on factors of test method and content likely to create variance in test performance…

The College Board's SAT[R] data are used to illustrate how the score equity assessment (SEA) can help inform the program about equatability. SEA is used to examine whether the content change(s) to the revised new SAT result in differential linking functions across gender groups. Results of population sensitivity analyses are reported on the…

This study examined the effect of oral administration accommodations on test structure and student performance on the Reading test of the South Carolina High School Exit Examination (HSEE). The examination was given at Grade 10 and was untimed; hence, students were permitted as much time as they needed to answer all the questions. Three groups of…