Teacher judgments of student need for compensatory education were found to agree moderately with student scores on the Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS). Accuracy of teacher judgments was not influenced by student racial, ethnic, or economic characteristics, extent of individualization of instruction, or teacher training and experience.…

A comparison of three treatments (training students to take tests, training teachers to administer tests, and reinforcing reading test score improvement) showed that group achievement scores more accurately indicate what students know if motivated to do their best in tests and take tests from teachers trained to administer standardized tests.…

A pilot project in 20 Oklahoma public schools during the 1980-81 school year indicated that algebra can be mastered by students of average ability if the material is presented in increments and sufficient time is allotted for understanding to occur. (Author/WD)

A study determined that simulation-gaming was a more effective teaching technique for students with low prior knowledge of economics, low Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores, and no high school economics instruction. Lecture-discussion was more effective for those with high precourse economic knowledge, SAT scores, and high school economics…

Starting from the premise that the assessment of second language learners' competence is a must at several points during the learning process, discusses the usefulness of laboratory testing. Argues that it allows for standardized testing, facility of test administration, easy scoring, objective measures, reliability and validity of results. (MES)

Interviewed 90 elementary school teachers on how they used the results of group IQ tests. Data indicated 30 percent of teachers reported making "little or no use" of the test scores. However, 84 percent of teachers stated that they used the test scores for one or more purposes. Discusses four most frequently mentioned uses. (Author/RC)

Comparability may be obtained for the Language Assessment Scale and the Bilingual Syntax Measure through a change in classification strategies which will also improve the equivalence of the tests and their correlation with achievement. Use of the tests along with teacher ratings should then provide meaningful criteria for classification.…

Reports results of a 1979 national survey of test usage in grades 7-12. Results indicated schools continued to give tests and desired to do more testing, at least for career guidance, if funds were available. Found the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery was the most popular career guidance test. (Author/JAC)

The role of apprehension in the writing competency and writing performance of 110 college undergraduates was investigated. The hypotheses stated that high apprehensives would perform differently than low apprehensives on standardized tests and on two essay tests. The hypothesis for writing performance on standardized tests was confirmed, but the…

Addresses the problems of declining student performance as measured by standardized achievement test scores and attendant loss of confidence in public schools by offering nine specific ideas for stimulating significant gains in student achievement. (Author/WD)

English-speaking pupils, who had participated since kindergarten in a French immersion program, were compared to French-speaking students and to English-speakers in a regular elementary program which included French instruction. Standardized tests in French, English, and mathematics showed achievement patterns consistent with those reported in…

Standardized tests will continue to be useful tools in selective admissions, but auxiliary services of such agencies as the College Board, which allows persons to systematically plan, manage, and evaluate operations, may well be the means of survival in the 80s. (Author)

Points out the fallacies in some of the current notions about the academic abilities of today's students and presents data to support a more positive view of public education and student achievement. (WD)

A psychometrician and acquaintance of Carl C. Brigham, the "father of the Scholastic Aptitude Test," comments on the man's presonality traits and the culture that shaped his thinking. Areas of testing research that should be pursued are suggested. (MSE)

Describes types of tests, types of student responses required, ways to interpret tests, and the major test developers. (WD)