Information given for ten achievement and diagnostic tests most commonly used in England includes the date of standardization, age range, type of information yielded, special features, cost, and availability. The use of tests in general is briefly discussed. (DT)

Examined research findings of reflection-impulsivity behavior of children and suggests some conclusions that can be drawn from these findings. Bibliography. (RB)

Performance contracting indicates the need for tests designed to sample specified knowledge, skills, and abilities to determine what and how much students have learned in a given time. (MF)

Although stanine scores are used by many schools for posting students' test results in permanent records, not all teachers are confident in their interpretation of what stanine scores signify. This quiz and accompanying correct answers and explanations are offered to help make these scores more useful to practitioners. (LC)

Standardized music aptitude and achievement tests are reviewed, and the importance of early identification of musically talented children is stressed. An identification matrix is presented along with information on availability of 15 tests. (CL)

Briefly describes three new research studies focusing on the following aspects of teaching: planning, standardized tests, and teacher observation. (CM)

The author, a principal, argues that students and their parents should have access to corrected standardized and achievement tests, and describes proposed state legislation supporting this position that he lobbied for in Massachusetts. (IRT)

Comapred University of Mississippi dental student scores on the Dental Admission Test (DAT) and Part I of the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE) and found that DAT reading comprehension was a statistically significant predictor of all four subtests of the NBDE. Also found that DAT biology and organic chemistry scores were predictors of NBDE…

Describes an education professor's antipathy toward standardized tests, based on first graders' reactions to three days of year-end standardized testing. Although many respondents felt good about themselves as learners, most did not do particularly well on the tests. Standardized tests are not the best way to measure young children's learning…

There has been a sharp turnaround in the passing rate of students in Dade County, Florida, on a state-mandated test required for graduation from high school. The passing rate, which rose from 59% to 66%, is attributed to a countywide push to make students aware of the test's importance and create the best test-taking conditions possible. (MLH)

Provides a comprehensive and integrated treatment of both conditional absolute standard errors of measurement (SEM) and conditional relative SEMs from the perspective of generalizability theory. Illustrates the approach with examples from commercial standardized tests. Examples support the conclusion that both types of conditional SEMs tend to be…

For-profit companies are selling the idea that schools should be test-prep centers, and educators are agreeing. There is a new era of standardized test prep, in which teachers become test coaches and vice versa. This article describes the experiences of one school that was trained in test prep and discusses why schools are agreeing to use test…

Describes opposition to use of standardized tests for high-stakes decisions because of: their lack of scientific basis, imprecise measurement, teaching to the test, and student alienation, particularly among minorities. (EV)