The interaction of behavioral objectives, sequence order, and test and state anxiety were investigated. The study had four purposes: 1) to examine the effects of objectives on achievement; 2) to investigate the effects of sequencing; 3) to study the interaction of availability of objectives and sequence; 4) to study the effects of objectives and…

A list of nine recommendations is put forth with regard to standardized achievement tests. Its rationale is based on the need for fair and effective assessment processes that can be used for diagnosing and prescribing for the needs of individual children. (Author/AM)

Effects of the number of individuals coacting while taking two standardized motor performance tests were examined. Increases in aptitude scores corresponding to increases in group size were predicted based upon the summation hypothesis of social facilitation theory. Results indicated a group size effect. (Author/BJG)

The relationships between two measures of self-esteem and each of two measures of general anxiety and test anxiety were examined. There were statistically negative correlations between the measure of self-esteem and each of the measures of general anxiety and test anxiety when scores were analyzed by total group, grade level, and sex. (Author/BJG)

An algorithm for updating the means of variances of a norm group after each computer-assisted administration of a test is described. The algorithm does not require storage of the whole data set, and provides for unlimited, continuous expansion of the test norms. (Author)

An experienced observer and educator maintains that some of the best minds in education and psychology were involved in the development and use of standardized tests, and that a rejection of standarized testing is also a rejection of the principles of learning and true measurement of educational progress. (Author/LBH)

The relationship between testing and counseling has been called "the marriage that failed." This article presents a form of marriage counseling, that is, a mode of test interpretation, that may assist counselors to utilize test results more effectively in counseling. (Author)

Measures of teacher behavior are related to student achievement in fifth grade reading and mathematics instruction. It was found that those measures of teacher behavior which were generalizable (that is, more highly reliable) were found to be significantly related to student achievement. (JKS)

The DELPHI procedure requires respondents to reply to several questionnaire iterations with subsequent rounds containing previous round feedback. This study investigated the methodology (response rates, effects of feedback) and offered evidence that large-scale DELPHI surveys are not as advantageous as has previously been indicated. Suggestions…

Evaluates the effectiveness of reading readiness tests in predicting readiness for reading instruction and in diagnosing deficiencies of prerequisite skills for reading; reports the results of a survey on the use of reading readiness tests in 15 school districts. (GW)

The authors suggest that there may be a phenomenon of posttest sensitization which could affect the generalizability of experimental results in the way that pretest sensitization does. A quasi-experimental design is proposed to test for such a phenomenon. (JKS)

A debate concerning specific issues and the general usefulness of the Rasch latent trait test model is continued. Methods of estimation, necessary sample size, and the applicability of the model are discussed. (JKS)

Discusses the role of the National Consortium on Testing (NCT) and the concerns over limitations, and misuse of standardized tests. (SL)

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)