Comparison of standardized test scores and language arts portfolios of 5,264 first and second graders showed that alternative assessments can decrease inequities between blacks and whites. However, girls performed far better than boys on portfolios than on standardized tests. (SK)

Discusses the current political situation in the United States and the ways in which literacy education, particularly reading education, has been socially constructed and politically situated in the last several years. Suggests that the policies educators are currently implementing will lead to a generation of teachers who pay homage to externally…

This article describes the Harris Infant Neuromotor Test (HINT) and reviews investigations into its reliability and validity, normative data, and the sensitivity and specificity of parental opinions of their infants' movement and motor development. It concludes that the HINT is a quick, noninvasive screening tool with potential for the early…

Makes the case that the narrow approach to accountability mandated in North Carolina hinders the realization of the governor's plan for education reform. States that school cultures shaped by a testing environment do not support what is recognized as good teaching. (SK)

Suggests that standardized testing does not serve low-socioeconomic status (SES) students, because they lack life experiences that provide a foundation for learning, noting that the current emphasis on standardized testing offers a rigid environment that does not allow low-SES students to excel. The paper discusses methods educators can use to…

Compares the usefulness of standard score results (such as correlations and standardized regression of coefficients) to that of raw scores results (such as covariances and raw score regression coefficients). Examines the two main advantages of presenting standardized results. Demonstrates the implications of these two standardized score advantages…

Suggests that in order to revitalize grammar and the teaching of grammar, educators must find ways to encourage teachers to recognize, understand, and find creative energy in the opposing demands of state requirements and solid linguistic research. Concludes that good English teachers must know enough about linguistics in order to teach English…

A study investigated the relationship between performance on basic science (BS) and clinical science (CS) national board examinations in optometry because many students do well on CS while failing on BS. Results indicated a high correlation between scores on the tests, underscoring the importance of the BS examination and the test's predictive…

Reports on the effort by the National Teacher Examination to set standards in the field of speech communication. Describes the way in which the examination is put together and discusses some of the strengths and weaknesses of such a method. (KEH)

A class of 15 adult literacy students was provided reading instruction and training in self-evaluation skills; a control group of 15 did not receive such training. Data revealed both groups to be overestimators of their reading performance. More experimentals overestimated their performance after training. No differences were found in reading…

The survey of rural and suburban elementary school teachers (N-65) found that teachers used standardized group tests and grade equivalents far too frequently for placement in basal reading instructional materials and did not realize the inappropriateness of these practices. Alternative suggestions for student placement are offered. (DB)

While most states require standardized teacher certification tests and many require testing to enter teacher training, there is little consensus on the skill level needed for teaching or the tests' validity. Concern about high minority group failure rates has also slowed implementation of testing requirements in some states. (MSE)

The history of the process of admission to pharmacy colleges in the United States since the early 1900s is chronicled. The origins, development, and use of the Pharmacy College Admissions Test are also outlined, and directions for the future of pharmacy college admissions are examined briefly. (MSE)

In this interview, George Madaus explains how the misuse of tests corrupts the inferences drawn from them. He calls for cost-benefit evaluations of high stakes tests and challenges educators to seek better accountability methods, test student samples, use multiple indicators, and include teacher judgment in the process. (MLH)

Several meanings of bias are examined, and evidence concerning the validity of the Scholastic Aptitude Test, which has been widely criticized, is presented. Several forms of alleged bias are addressed, including underprediction of minority group college performance, bias in test use, measurement bias, and sex bias. (MSE)