A 26-step plan is offered to help raise students' standardized test scores. (MT)

Over 4,000 fifth graders were involved in a study to determine the effect of teacher oral reading of test items on good and poor readers. The findings suggested that having teachers read test items aloud during standardized tests yielded higher scores for both groups than having students read for themselves. (Author/MT)

Explores issues related to testing and certification of social workers and discusses the National Association of Social Workers' experience in the assessment of competence. Explores formulation of definitions, determination of standards, and construction of quality instruments. (JAC)

Research shows that most students who received test-wiseness training scored much higher than did students of equal ability who had no training. Familiarity with the test format, the test-taking situation, and the conventions of the test contribute to good performance. (MT)

An algorithm for estimation of means and standard deviations or raw scores underlying table values of standard test scores is presented. An application of a computer program, operationalizing the suggested algorithm, is discussed within the framework of a comparison of estimated and known table values for sample Minnesota Multiphasic Personality…

Examines the amount of grammar terminology used or required for eleven leading standardized tests. (DD)

Discusses the inadequacies of the California High School Proficiency Examination and examines how the test has usurped every school board's responsibility to define and implement a meaningful education. (Author/IRT)

Many states that are implementing programs designed to institute higher academic standards are seeing signs that suggest they might want to "slow" some efforts, "stop" others, or "detour" to explore a different approach. Now is a good time for state leaders to take stock of lessons learned so they can review and…

This study investigated the number-correct scoring method based on different theories (classical true-score theory and multidimensional item response theory) when a standardized test requires more than one ability for an examinee to get a correct response. The number-correct scoring procedure that is widely used is the one that is defined in…

This document describes the school reform movement at Broadway High School in rural Virginia which has led to great success in mathematics achievement as proven by the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. The Onward to Excellence II model provided a way for the faculty to focus on math, especially Algebra I, and to involve the entire school…

This paper describes the use of oral examinations to assess the clinical judgment of aspiring physicians. Oral examinations have been used in U.S. medicine since 1917. Currently, 15 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties administer 17 different standardized oral examinations to approximately 10,000 physician candidates…

Test results for students from Massachusetts charter schools were analyzed. As 14 Massachusetts charter schools completed their second year of operation, and 7 more finished their first year, results from standardized tests taken by charter school students were becoming available. Test results are the only indicators of performance analyzed in…

The thesis advanced in this article is that public indignation regarding testing is largely the result of an appraisal process that has been measurement-centered rather than person-centered. As a consequence, appraisal is viewed by the public as an evaluative process rather than a helping process. Recommendations are made. (Author)

Results on arithmetic, spelling, and self-concept measures indicated no differences in mean test scores across groups, regardless of test conditions. It is suggested that since a variety of noises is a normal part of our environment, music as a distractor is not a new experience for test-takers and therefore not distracting in a test situation.…