This paper presents a multistage adaptive testing test development paradigm that promises to handle content balancing and other test development needs, psychometric reliability concerns, and item exposure. The bundled multistage adaptive testing (BMAT) framework is a modification of the computer-adaptive sequential testing framework introduced by…

This document is a supplement to the Test Content Description for the Georgia High School Test in Mathematics. The sample items are representative of items on the actual Georgia High School Tests. The strands (major areas) being tested are: (1) Number and Composition (17% to 19% of the test); (2) Data Analysis (19-21% of the test); (3) Measurement…

This document is a supplement to the Test Content Description for the Georgia High School Test in Science. The sample items are representative of items on the actual Georgia High School Tests. The strands (major areas) being tested are: (1) Process/Research Skills (30% to 32% of the test); (2) Physical Science (33% to 35% of the test); and…

This paper traces some ideas produced by adolescent students when deciding among different explanations of a past situation. For this purpose, a sample of 270 Portuguese students ranging from 12 to 20 years old, attending 7th to 11th grades, was analyzed in a qualitative approach. Students' ideas were mapped through five levels of progression, in…

This demonstration booklet describes the 2005 assessments. The first three sections explain the purposes and content of the NAEP reading, mathematics, and science assessments and provide sample test questions at each grade level. The fourth section includes the directions and the background questions that all students will be asked to answer. The…

A study of 59 Australian people with an intellectual disability and 69 university students evaluated a new scale to measure the life quality of people with an intellectual disability. The Comprehensive Quality of Life Scale--Intellectual Disability was found to be a useful instrument to measure comparative life quality. (Author/CR)

The authors of the "Guidelines," a task force of eight, intend to present an organized list of features to be considered in reporting or evaluating computerized-adaptive assessments. Apart from a few weaknesses, the book is a useful and complete document that will be very helpful to test developers. (SLD)

Reviews the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory--High School Version (LASSI--HS). Notes strengths of the inventory--its focus on processes of learning rather than the products; its usefulness for low-achieving students; and its focus on issues related to motivation. Notes the lack of validity evidence. (RS)

Lists comprehensive guides, catalogs, and printed and online databases for use by individuals who do not have an extensive background in tests and measurement. The guides provide lists of tests for specific subject areas, grade levels, and purposes. The article includes availability information for resources. (SM)

The Content Validation Form is presented as a means of proving that occupational tests provide a representative work sample or knowledge, skill, or ability necessary for a job. It is best used during test construction by a panel of subject matter experts. (SK)

TIMSS (Third International Mathematics and Science Study) is the largest, most ambitious study of comparative education ever attempted. Despite the TIMSS Subject Matter Advisory Committee's best efforts, not all test items truly reflect student math and science achievement. Some items have more than one correct response; some are not grounded in…

The Inventory of Potential Communicative Acts (IPCA) was given to 20 children with developmental and physical disabilities. Results indicate the IPCA is an efficient means for collecting accurate, verifiable data of the potential communicative acts of children with severe communication impairment associated with a range of developmental and…

Describes a program used by two New Jersey educators to help teachers understand and use their state's standards and test specifications to improve classroom instruction and raise achievement. Suggests it is important for teachers to understand the entirety of each subject and where state test content fits within each area so that they can align…

Spurred in part by University of California (UC) President Richard Atkinson's February 2001 proposal to drop the SAT I for UC applicants, more attention is being paid to other tests such as the SAT II and ACT. Proponents of these alternative exams argue that the SAT I is primarily an aptitude test measuring some vague concept of "inherent…

This handbook will assist principals and school testing coordinators in implementing the spring 2007 administration of the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA). Information regarding administration timeline, reporting, process, online tools and contact personnel is discussed. Contents include: (1) Scheduling; (2) Identify Primary Test…