This comprehensive "Handbook" focuses on the most used polytomous item response theory (IRT) models. These models help us understand the interaction between examinees and test questions where the questions have various response categories. The book reviews all of the major models and includes discussions about how and where the models…

These curriculum specifications are based on the prescribed content and objectives of the 1981 Alberta (Canada) Social Studies Curriculum for Grade 12. The purposes of these specifications are to: (1) identify specific course content, objectives, and relative weightings that should be considered in evaluating student progress and achievement; and…

Background information and resources to help students in grades 9-12 in Texas pursue an individual study contract in applied music is presented. To fulfill a contract students must publicly perform from memory, with accompaniment as specified, three selections from a list of approved music for their chosen field (instrument or voice). Material…

The purpose of this bulletin is to help teachers prepare students for the Student Achievement Testing Program by highlighting curriculum objectives to be tested. These curriculum specifications are based on the 1981 Alberta (Canada) Social Studies Curriculum. The guide delineates objectives, concepts, and content that are to be tested from three…

This handbook contains a collection of 10 essays on practical skills needed by correspondence educators. The emphasis is on the "how to" of home study. The scope of the handbook includes coverage of the major aspects of providing instructional and administrative service to students, from how to organize the student services department to…

This document presents a self-instructional guide to train individuals in the use of the Procedures for Identifying Problem Drinkers (PIPD), a screening and assessment package designed to determine the existence and degree of a drinking problem. The guide was developed for use in pre-sentence investigations, but is easily adaptable to other…

This document brings together the individual speeches and group discussions that were part of a forum to stimulate thought and discussion on correspondence education. The nine plenary addresses are provided: "Correspondence Education: From the Back of the Bus to the Driver's Seat" (Kenneth E. Young), "Flaming Issues of the Day" (D. W. Holbrook,…

Research suggests several types of test-anxious students. Techniques for lessening anxiety include teaching metacognitive and learning strategies, using cooperative learning activities, and creating a nonthreatening environment. A survey of 102 developmental reading college students indicated that teacher behavior during testing and pretest review…

A collection of 27 syllabi for undergraduate and graduate courses on language and gender is presented. The syllabi come from a variety of departments, including linguistics, anthropology, English, French, German, and folklore. Special features of the collection include: syllabi for undergraduate and graduate courses; ideas for paper topics;…

Outlines methods for including skill testing in teacher-made history tests. Focuses on distinguishing fact and fiction, evaluating the reliability of a source, distinguishing between primary and secondary sources, recognizing statements which support generalizations, testing with media, mapping geo-politics, and applying knowledge to new…

Analyzed was the mental activity required to answer Profile Test questions. This was then related to the results of pupils with differing profiles. Most of the mental activity could be reduced to three categories of knowledge: data, short operations, and paths. These categories are then discussed and applied. (MNS)

In recent years, assessment of what is actually learned or accomplished in a college career has gained increasing attention. An instructor of a weather and climate geography course at Illinois State University constructed a 25-question multiple choice test in order to develop a method of assessing what his students learned during the course. The…

Suggests methods to test whether students have acquired a sense of place or spatial understanding. Knowledge of the concepts of map representation, the region, man/land notations, spatial relations, location, and scale are vital to geographic understanding. Concludes that geographic ideas should relate to particular maps. (Author/KC)

This test administration plan sets forth the terms and conditions governing the administration of the College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST), an instrument designed to measure the achievement of the communication and computation skills expected of all students by the time they complete their sophomore year. CLAST scores are required of all…

Maintains that the social studies curriculum is appropriate for teaching thinking skills but that the subject is taught to enhance student performance on state-mandated tests. Traces historically the introduction of thinking skills into the curriculum. Examines the conflict over teaching thinking skills; namely the content versus process dispute.…