The advocacy and establishment of legislation for minimum competency tests appears to be based upon the desire to hold educators responsible for their products, to measure the cost effectiveness of education, and to insure that all students obtain an adequate education in basic skills; but it is argued that using minimum competency standards has…

This study developed a two-parameter linear probabilistic model of criterion referenced measurement, which relates an examinee's observed ability to his true ability through a guessing parameter and a carelessness parameter, both of which are probabilities. This model was applied to a survey of 10- and 14-year-old Australian students to estimate…

The purpose of this project was to develop and field test a modularized, individualized, multimedia learning system designed to produce vocational instructors who are competent to implement and manage a totally individualized curriculum delivery system. A team of instructional designers worked with practicing vocational teachers and teacher…

The literature related to reporting, interpreting, and utilizing test results for norm-referenced and criterion-referenced testing is reviewed; and the prerequisites and other important characteristics of a good report are described. Guidelines are also provided for the development or evaluation of reporting systems for criterion-referenced tests…

The Instructional Support System for Occupational Education (ISSOE), developed in New York during the past five years, consists of a student-outcome-oriented curriculum that is locally developed and implemented by teachers. The teachers who have been using the ISSOE materials have indicated some difficulty in implementing the system because of the…

The National Education Association (NEA) opposes the use of standardized, norm-referenced tests of intelligence, achievement, and aptitude, citing problems with their substance, structure, administration, and use. NEA suggests five alternatives: (1) performance contracts; (2) teacher-student and teacher-parent-student interviews; (3)…

One of 33 self-paced instructional modules for training industry services leaders to provide guidance in the performance of manpower services by public agencies to new and expanding private industry, this module contains three sequential learning activities on writing news articles about industry training activities. (Three of the other modules…

Two different control groups were used to evaluate the use of pre- and post-test examination questions presented in the format of a Navy training film. The control group was given a paper-and-pencil pre- and post-test while the experimental group received the pre- and post-test questions within the context and format of the film. While no…

The first of nine volumes in the SER-LARS (Special Education Resources Location Analysis and Retrieval System) Series presents an overview of the system's diagnostic-prescriptive instructional data bank. Information for the user is provided on resources needed, information generated, and procedures for the model's eight levels: initial referral…

Item writing methods for criterion referenced tests in the cognitive domain are reviewed. The methods are classified on a continuum from informal-subjective to automated-objective. Examples of approaches to improving instructional objectives are given. Domain-based tests are derived from content specifications and five approaches are described:…

Objectives and sample test items to measure cognitive outcomes in environmental units of study in grades four through nine are presented. The objectives are subdivided into three main groups: (1) natural ecosystem; (2) human environment; and (3) environmental problems. Objectives and test items to measure affective outcomes are also listed.…

Several intermediate performance objectives and corresponding criterion measures are listed for each of 15 terminal objectives for a basic automotive body repair and refinishing course. The materials were developed for a two-semester (2 hours daily) course for organized classroom and shop experiences designed to enable the student to develop…

Several intermediate performance objectives and corresponding criterion measures are listed for each of 10 terminal objectives in this junior high school power and transportation course guide. Each objective also includes learning steps and suggestions for supplementary instructional aids. The overall focus is on the concepts of industrial…

Described in this paper is the development and evaluation of the Employability Skills Series by the Florida Department of Education, 1975-1977. Focusing on skills involved in getting and keeping any job, the series is intended for use with secondary students and adults and is on approximately a fifth grade reading level. It consists of six student…

This module on evaluation models is one of a set of five on evaluation and research and is part of a larger series of thirty-four modules constituting a core curriculum for use in the professional preparation of vocational educators in the areas of agricultural, business, home economics, and industrial education. Following the module objective and…