Item and test analyses can be used to revise and improve both test items and the test as a whole. Recommendations for item and test analysis practices as they are reported in commonly used measurement textbooks are summarized. A heuristic data set is used to illustrate test and item analysis practices. Techniques developed in this paper are…

This paper dramatizes the complexity and the problems involved in calculating the rates of student dropouts from school. To compare the dropout formulas used by various agencies, states, and local school systems, responses from a national survey are presented and used to calculate a range of dropout rates for the Austin (Texas) public schools. By…

This study derived an expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm for estimating the parameters of multidimensional item response models. A genetic algorithm (GA) was developed to be used in the maximization step in each EM cycle. The focus of the EM-GA algorithm developed in this paper was on multidimensional items with "mixed structure."…

Fourteen topics are discussed that need to be included in the curriculum to make it possible for students to successfully take full advantage of the calculator and its capabilities. These include: underflow, overflow, estimation, scientific notation, powers of ten, rounding, and truncation. (MP)

Following a brief history of Logo, BASIC, and Pilot programing languages, common educational programing tasks (input from keyboard, evaluation of keyboard input, and computation) are presented in each language to illustrate how each can be used to perform the same tasks and to demonstrate each language's strengths and weaknesses. (MBR)

The study evaluated an errorless procedure for teaching nine educable mentally retarded students to solve missing minuend problems. Seven Ss acquired the target skill in a nearly errorless fashion in 75 to 172 minutes of individual training time. The other Ss required programatic alterations. (Author/CL)

Discoveries of Charles Babbage in the 1800s are described. Origins of the difference engine, his calculating machine, the principles of computation applied to tables, and the design and construction of his engine are included. (MNS)

A study involving dyslexic children (10-14 years old) with average and high reasoning ability and nondyslexic children with and without superior mathematical ability suggested that the high reasoning dyslexic Ss had similar abstract reasoning ability but lower computation and memory skills than mathematically gifted nondyslexic Ss. (CL)

Examines some of the issues that underlie the conceptual structure of the computational approach to cognition. Finds that this approach construes symbolization too narrowly, thereby blocking more adequate treatments of learning and acquisition of skills. Discusses the notion of symbol and symbolization and suggests an alternative approach to the…

The article suggests possible reasons for difficulties with verbal (word) problems and describes two remediation strategies: re-teaching the introductory sequence for an operation and having students write their own problems. (CL)