In light of the 1997 Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requiring the inclusion of students with disabilities in state and district assessments, this report summarizes findings of a research synthesis designed to provide empirically based data to inform states regarding decision making for assessment polices. The…

This paper discusses comprehensive school reform (CSR), which accepts the importance of standards and accountability but adds to these strategies for introducing innovations in curriculum, instruction, school organization, governance, parent interactions, and other core features of practice. The paper reviews research on the nature and quality of…

In order to make an intelligent advance in any school practice a knowledge of what schools are doing in that practice is almost indispensable, since a transition in procedures must be a growth from the one to the other. This bulletin gives this background of facts concerning the use of tests and examinations by the different subject departments in…

This paper provides an historical perspective on the content of the SAT. The review begins at the beginning, when the first College Board SAT (the Scholastic Aptitude Test) was administered to 8,040 students on June 23, 1926. At that time, the SAT consisted of nine subtests: Definitions, Arithmetical Problems, Classification, Artificial Language,…

The validity of using proficiency test scores to make specific educational decisions is addressed. Ninth grade mathematics proficiency test scores were analyzed in both continuous and categorized form. The nature of the decisions to be made was examined as a factor in determining the categorization technique. (Author/PN)

Urban schools' test scores are improving, including those for poor and minority children, particularly because of effective school techniques and minimum competency standards. However, urban elementary, not secondary, schools account for most of the improvement, and many educators feel that emphasizing test scores teaches only limited skills, not…

Describes a three-stage process of assessment, a structured, complete approach to the appraisal of a whole child. Suggests these systematic procedures ensure, due consideration for physical, mental, or emotional disability, significant educational needs, and related services. (Author)

The degree to which the PCAT, SAT, grade point average, and other admission criteria can predict student academic performance in a school of pharmacy and on professional licensing examinations is assessed. The performance of pharmacy students on quantitative admission measures, academic courses and licensing examinations are analyzed and compared.…

Describes a study to determine if time spent in modular instruction is related to improvement in performance on weekly tests or final examinations across four years in a course on plant anatomy taught by Self-Instructional Modules and Interactive small Group discussion (SIMIG). Twenty-one references are listed. (Author/CHC)

The Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) in Canada and the Dental Admission Test (DAT) in the United States are discussed. A history of the DAT, its composition, underlying concepts, and the problems of validation and guidelines for its uses are presented. A review of the literature is provided. (Author/MLW)

In a study conducted in Ireland, factor analysis of IQ, mathematics, and English standardized test scores, together with the 15 teacher ratings, showed that there is overlap between ratings and test results but that the information obtained is not redundant. (Author/RL)

A liberal interpretation of Section 151 of Public Law 93-380, to implement effective local evaluation of Title I programs, is supported. Weaknesses are cited: (1) nationwide impact data, (2) unsound aggregation of Title I achievement gains, and (3) lack of consideration of alternative evaluation methods. (MH)

This study provides validity information for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) by examining some of its inter- and intra-test correlates. (CFM)

Presents an overview of functional assessment and career education of students with disabilities, and provides an annotated bibliography on the topic. A total of eight references are provided for background and rationale, sources of functional assessments, application of functional assessments, and model programs using functional assessment. (CR)