Suggested are ways to improve the SAT and its face validity. Suggestions include greater emphasis on more-realistic problems, inclusion of realistic percent problems, modification of the multiple-choice format, and the use of the National Council of Mathematics "Curriculum and Evaluation Standards" as a guide to construct the test. (MDH)

Explains and contrasts the techniques and philosophies of norm-referenced (NRT) and criterion-referenced tests (CRT). NRTs are criticized for lack of useful information and control. CRTs are usually teacher-made and customized to fit the classroom needs, offering more control over test content, but few teachers are prepared to develop them. (SM)

This study, with 66 regular classroom children and 52 children with learning disabilities, found high correlations among the Cognitive Levels Test, the KeyMath-Revised measure, and the Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests-Revised. Overall, 81 percent of subjects were correctly classified using the three-instrument battery. (Author/DB)

The extent to which items from the Test of English as a Foreign Language and the First Certificate in English function differently for test-takers of equal ability from different native language and curricular backgrounds was investigated. Results suggest a need for methods like logistic regression to examine nonuniform differential item…

This article reviews the literature addressing uses of the American College Testing College Outcome Measures Program (ACT COMP), the most frequently used standardized measure of cognitive general education outcomes. It concludes that worthwhile evaluations of ACT COMP uses require well-crafted general education program evaluations. Recommendations…

The lack of adequate and appropriate methods for assessing the effectiveness of interdisciplinary higher education programs is discussed. Barriers to evaluation are examined and examples of locally designed and standardized program evaluation measures are described briefly and compared. Specific recommendations are made for designing evaluations.…

Analysis of nearly 1,800 essays written by 17-year-old African-American students were examined in terms of the frequency and distribution of Black English Vernacular (BEV) and the covariance of BEV with rater scores. Results suggests that BEV has converged with Edited American/Standard English and that students were not penalized for BEV in…

An investigation of effects of concurrent study of other subjects on student performance on the New Zealand Universities Bursaries examination found study of English carried no benefit, study of economics offered little practical benefit, and the effect of mathematics could not be measured. Study of statistics alone, without economics, had a…

Investigates factors measured by several tests of reading comprehension. Four different factor analyses consistently resulted in Efficiency Level factor when there was one factor; when there were two factors, one was interpreted as Accuracy Level and the other as Rate Level factor. Finds that the most important factor involved is Efficiency Level,…

It is proposed that the dental profession eliminate entry-level clinical state board examinations in favor of licensure based on successful completion of an accredited curriculum and successful completion of Parts I and II of the National Board Examination. A 10-point strategy for accomplishing this goal is outlined. (MSE)

Summarizes research supporting current beliefs in testing, identifies good assessment qualities, and reviews the current knowledge of test design. Standardized tests negatively affect academic program quality. Alternative assessments must be judged by their validity, reliability, consequences, fairness, generalizability, cognitive complexity,…

This study established criterion-referenced standards for selected tests of arm and shoulder girdle strength and endurance in college females. Tests of trained and untrained students using the contrasting groups method yielded criterion cutoff scores that classified subjects as trained or untrained based on upper arm and shoulder girdle resistance…

Uses data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress to argue that achievement growth in reading, mathematics, and science is possibly constrained by the (declining) growth and distribution of general intelligence. The failure of school practices to boost general intelligence would explain the disappointing effects of school reform…

Two key assumptions of conventional test design--the compartmentalization of knowledge and the decontextualization of knowing--are false. Because competent performance requires both context and judgment, it is senseless to test for mastery as an unvarying response to unambiguous stimuli. Test-makers must link their tests to the tasks, contexts,…

This survey on modifications allowed for students with disabilities by 30 states in statewide criterion-referenced testing programs found no universal agreement about modifications. Accommodations in Test Setting and Test Scheduling were more frequently allowed than revisions in Test Directions or Test Format. Assistance devices and accommodations…