This study was designed to investigate the equivalence reliability between the suggested FITNESSGRAM[R] muscular strength and endurance test, the 90[degrees] push-up (PSU), and alternate FITNESSGRAM[R] tests of upper-body strength and endurance (i.e., modified pull-up [MPU], flexed-arm hang [FAH], and pull-up [PU]). Children (N = 383) in Grades 3…

A Monte Carlo approach is proposed, using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) programming language, for estimating reliability coefficients in generalizability theory studies. Test scores are generated by a probabilistic model that considers the probability for a person with a given ability score to answer an item with a given difficulty…

The purpose of this study was to introduce a procedure to detect differential item functioning (DIF) particularly suitable for criterion-referenced tests and to demonstrate how this approach would affect the identification of DIF items using real data sets. The procedure based on item response theory (IRT) assesses DIF at a limited closed interval…

The 25 tests cited in this bibliography cover all grade levels. Test content includes micro- and macro-economics and basic economic concepts. Some of the measures are equivalency tests and there are a few Spanish language editions. Although grades 1 through adult are represented, the tests are primarily designed for grades 7 through 12 and adult.…

Data from research studies seem to support the validity of teacher judgments of student achievement; however, there are unresolved issues, including the focus of the judgment, the external validity or credibility of the assessment, and the process of the assessment itself. To achieve maximum benefits from this form of assessment/teaching…

Information on the allocation of daily instructional time to a given program is an important aid in understanding the overall patterns of instructional pacing and may also serve as an explanation of differences in scholastic performance. Studies with kindergarten children in the First Year Communications Skills Program support this assertion.…

In this discussion of whether youth fitness tests should be evaluated with norm-referenced standards or criterion-referenced standards, it is pointed out the the suitability of the test depends upon the purpose for which the test is administered. A high level of physical fitness is linked with health, at least in adults, which suggests that…

This book presents a compilation of 28 issues of the newsletter, "How To Evaluate Education Programs" from the first one published in September 1977 through the issue of December 1979 on the topic of evaluating educational programs. The subject is covered in the following chapters: (1) How to Choose a Test; (2) How to Rate and Compare…

The Georgia Criterion-referenced Tests are designed to measure a core group of essential basic skills at key points throughout the educational development of students. This monograph reports test results for grades one, four, eight, and ten. Results are presented by graphs and figures, with brief narrative summaries. Information is provided on:…

Examples are given of criterion-referenced test items in mathematics and reading used at the sixth grade level in Georgia. Three skill areas are identified for mathematics: concept identification, component operations, and problem solving. Tests measure students' ability to: (1) recognize whole numbers, fractions, and decimals; (2) identify…

The Vocational-Technical Education Consortium (V-TECHS) was formed to help develop vocational-technical materials in the use of performance objectives and criterion-referenced test items which have been validated against actual job performance. (BP)

Discusses the criterion referenced test and focuses on such questions as What is it? What are the advantages to be gained from a performance-based curriculum and criterion reference evaluation procedures? What are the disadvantages? The Science - A Process Approach program is identified as the most complete and tested example of the use of…

The Mat-Sea-Cal Oral Proficiency Tests are a series of comparable grammatical structure tests. They have been developed in six languages: English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Ilokano and Tagalog. Their purpose is to identify linguistic skills and deficiencies of primary school children grades K through 4. This research reported on the…

The paper presents 12 steps in developing and validating criterion referenced tests (CRTs). The author emphasizes the need to closely examine the test's stated purpose and trace the test through the 12 steps in order to find CRTs that are useful rather than useless. Examples are given for each step: preparing or selecting objectives; developing…

The Chicago Public Schools have been developing and implementing a citywide instructional program of continuous progress/mastery learning in reading. It includes the delineation of a K-8 continuum of instructional objectives; a criterion-referenced testing program which serves as the basis for instruction, promotion, and administrative monitoring;…