This paper reviews the literature related to criterion-referenced testing (CRT), which has been tied to trends in individualized instruction, competency-based education, and the accountability movement. Among the conclusions that are drawn are (1) CRT scores assume a good match between test items and behavioral objectives that the CRT attempts to…

The purpose of this study was to compare certain characteristics of multiple-choice (MC) and complex multiple-choice (CMC) achievement tests designed to measure knowledge in medical-surgical nursing. Each of 268 junior and senior nursing students from four midwestern schools responded to one of four test forms. MC items were developed by…

While most foreign language programs list communicative language use as a primary goal, classroom tests seldom reflect this objective but rather focus on discrete-point linguistic competence. The authors present a model of the communication process and point to the main task in constructing tests of communicative competence: devising simulated…

In order to screen out items which may be biased against some ethnic group prior to the final selection of items in test construction, a statistical technique for assessing item bias was developed. Based on a theoretical formulation of R. B. Darlington, the method compares the performance of individuals who belong to different ethnic groups, but…

In latent trait models the standard procedure for handling the problem caused by guessing on multiple choice tests is to estimate a parameter which is intended to measure the "guessingness" inherent in an item. Birnbaum's three parameter model, which handles guessing in this manner, ignores individual differences in guessing tendency. This paper…

Compared was the relative predictive power of learning potential (LP) and IQ measures for 54 low-income Spanish-speaking students (grades 2 through 6) in a transitional bilingual urban school. Ss were administered the Raven LP procedure, the Semantic Test of Intelligence, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) in Spanish, and the WISC…

This paper concerns the projected changes suggested for testing in the future by the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB). A Commission on Tests is held desirable, the general purpose of which is to describe a comprehensive series of testing activities supporting the large-scale distribution of students among college level institutions in the…

To combat difficulties of dictated spelling tests, such as unreliable scoring due to illegible writing and the possibility of clues being provided through the enunciation of words by examiners, a technique was developed for writing experimental spelling tests by computer. Additionally, the diagnostic function of spelling scales was considered…

This study sought to assess the effects of psychological warm-up on the verbal creative thinking abilities of first-grade children. The subjects were 96 black first-grade children enrolled in two schools in Athens and Atlanta, Georgia. Both schools are located in poor neighborhoods. Children were randomly assigned to control, physical warm-up, and…

Three propositions which may suggest a strategy for meeting the measurement needs of education are presented: (1) Educational measurement possesses enough techniques and principles to permit tackling problems for their intrinsic importance, rather than for their convenience of fit to answers we already have; (2) Measurement needs are a subset of…

This handbook presents instructions for implementing a confidence testing program in technical training situations, identification of possible areas of application, techniques for evaluating confidence information, advantages and disadvantages of confidence testing, time considerations, and problem areas. Complete instructions for "Pick-One" and…

During an interview (Playboy magazine, April, 1971), actor John Wayne expressed certain educational theories and attitudes concerning American minority groups. His outlook is an authentic summary of the intellectual convictions of the vast majority of white Americans today. This "psychology of whiteness" is the academic explanation for the concept…

Contents of this book include: an introductory preface by C. Loring Brace; "Introduction to Jensenism," C. Loring Brace; "Can we and should we study race differences?" Arthur R. Jensen; "Intelligence in Black and White," Alexander Alland, Jr.; "Whose is the failure?" Vera John; "The influence of…

This select bibliography lists books, government documents, journal articles, monographs and legal citations about fair employment. The majority of entries relate to the employee selection and testing process and its ramifications. Titles are organized by topic: guidelines and standards, statistics, selection, legal aspects of testing, overviews…

The purpose of this study was to determine if correlations among student ratings items designed to be diagnostic could be lowered through use of special instructions to raters. The authors argue that the lowering of inter-item correlations is indicative of a reduction of the halo effect which leads to greater item diagnosticity. The experimental…