Argues that student performance on standardized tests should not be the basis for educational reform and presents suggestions for expanding the criteria by which school success is judged. (SRT)

Examines the extent and nature of America's need to know whether the nation's educational outlook is improving, considers the contributions of the Scholastic Aptitude Test and the National Assessment of Educational Progress to the information effort, and proposes a more effective testing system to be administered by the Census Bureau. (PGD)

This article addresses performance testing based on criterion-referenced measurement. A brief description of performance objectives is presented, followed by a discussion of the different types of performance tests: pencil and paper, identification, simulation, and work sample. Checklists and other types of rating scales are identified. (CT)

Discusses the change from an emphasis on structural forms to language functions in teachig English as a second language and the problems it presents for test writers. Suggest that criterion-referenced tests may provide an alternative to test construction and scoring procedures fr the new communicative tests of ESL. (SED)

Some negative feelings about tests may be the result of not understanding what tests do, what their limitations are, and how they are scored. Classroom, standardized, achievement, and criterion-referenced tests are discussed. Tips for helping children develop a realistic attitude toward tests and good work habits are given. (MT)

The reliability of criterion-referenced tests (CRTs) used in health program evaluation can be conceptualized in different ways. Formulas are presented for estimating appropriate standard error of measurement (SEM) for CRTs. The SEM can be used in computing confidence intervals for domain score estimates and for a cut-score. (Author/LMO)

An operational framework and a set of empirical procedures for building achievement tests sensitive to the instructional effects of school programs are presented. Procedures are illustrated using data from a comparative study of alternative item formats for a criterion-referenced test. Important differences in instructional sensitivity are shown.…

An outcome of the excellence movement has been an increase in state control of education, especially through state-mandated testing, as testing has become the preferred means of trying to effect change in education following the popularity of accountability and minimum competency testing. Suggestions for using tests prudently are listed. (DCS)

Explores the many meanings of the minimal competency testing movement and the more recent mobilization for educational excellence in the schools. Argues that increasing the value of the diploma by setting performance standards on minimal competency tests and by elevating academic graduation standards may strongly conflict with policies encouraging…

Discusses the strengths and weaknesses of Reading Yardsticks, a criterion referenced test. Concludes that there are significant problems associated with its effective use. (FL)

Illustrates ways to link the motivating power and efficiency of the computer to the effectiveness and necessity of traditional teaching practice and criterion referenced testing in order to assess and teach spelling. (FL)

Advantages of three methods for evaluating kindergarten children (standardized tests, early identification procedures, and criterion-referenced tests) are explained. (GW)

Provides an overview of the probable role of assessment in the improvement of elementary and secondary education. (Author)

This document addresses the CLAST results for Miami-Dade Community College (M-DCC) in June 2002. The results can be useful in developing strategies to enhance the CLAST pass rates of M-DCC students. Specifically, the document addresses the following three areas: first time pass rate increases in essay, reading, and mathematics, education majors…