Political and educational consequences of standard setting for criterion-referenced tests are discussed. Suggestions for setting standards are given. (JKS)

The standard growth expectations for various levels and categories of the Quarterly Profile Examination were reported in this study as an approach to assessing edumetric validity. The results demonstrated the usefulness of computing standard growth expectations for tests used in the measurement of within-individual growth. (Author/JKS)

There is a great deal to think about in a minimum competency program: What competencies? How to measure? When to measure? One minimum or many? How high the minimum? Minimums for students or for schools? What to do with the incompetent? (Author/IRT)

The question of educational effects in higher education is reexamined by studying the effects of academic departments (rather than entire colleges) and employing as criterion measures achievement tests appropriate for the individual departments. (Editor/LBH)

A comparison of two forms of the College Entrance Examination Board's (CEEB) English Composition Test with four rhetoric final examinations in a basic English composition course indicated that the CEEB was more stable and yielded better item statistics while departmental examinations were more highly related to course grade. (Editor/JT)

This article examines what types of language tests are suitable in evaluating instructional programs in testing for educational accountability. Norm-referenced measurements are found unsuitable for this purpose; new, criterion-referenced tests must be developed. (CHK)

Thirteen learning disabled and 15 remedial high school students were taught reasoning skills using computer-assisted instruction and were given basic or elaborated corrections. Criterion-referenced test scores were significantly higher for the elaborated-corrections treatment on the post- and maintenance tests and on a transfer test assessing…

Discusses the use of standardized test results as a guide to developing curriculum content and uses data gathered at Hellgate Elementary School, Montana, as an example. (JC)

Addressing the shortcomings of classical item statistics for selecting criterion-referenced test items, this paper describes an optimal item selection procedure utilizing item response theory (IRT) and offers examples in which random selection and optimal item selection methods are compared. Theoretical advantages of optimal selection based upon…

Presents approaches to test development analysis, reliability, and validity based on criterion-referenced measurement principles and compares them with norm-referenced approaches in terms of the types of decisions that result from either approach. This is done by using data from an English-as-a-second-language achievement testing project at the…

Describes the development of a domain-referenced system intended to both describe and classify current writing assignments and to create composition assignments. (HOD)

Discusses methods of sampling the best information from instruction/training developers/candidates for professional certification and examines the problems of interpreting that information and making classification decisions. Assessment strategies including criterion-referenced, multiple-choice, short answer, and essay questions, and portfolio…

Concludes that the Brigance Screen is a well-organized criterion-referenced test designed to assist in the early identification of individuals who need further testing. (FL)

The reliabilities of two types of measurement plans were compared across six hypothetical distributions of true scores or abilities. The measurement plans were: (1) fixed-length, where the number of trials for all examinees is set in advance; and (2) trials-to-criterion, where examinees must keep trying until they complete a given number of trials…

Discusses norm referenced and criterion referenced standardized intelligence and achievement tests. Suggests a moritorium on all such tests as advocated and alternatives for assessment such as interviewing parents, children and teachers and examining children's journals and notebooks. (MS)