Several studies have shown that essays receive higher marks when preceded by poor quality scripts than when preceded by good quality scripts. This study investigated the effectiveness of providing scorers with model essays to reduce the influence of context. Context effects persisted despite the scoring procedures used. (Author/EGS)

Projects three possible outcomes to the criticisms of objective, quantitative educational research by antinaturalists, interpretivists, and critical theorists during the 1980s, referred to as the "Paradigm Wars." Argues for a pragmatic rapprochment of the paradigms based on the moral obligations of educational research. (FMW)

This study examined the difficulty level of essay topics used in the large-scale assessment of writing in relation to five different scoring models, and sought to determine what effects the scoring models would have on passing rates. In model one, examinee's score is the direct result of a score assigned by the reader or the sum of scores assigned…

The Test of Standard Written English (TSWE) is a 50-item multiple choice instrument designed to assess the ability of college students to use English. In this study, based upon a sample of 45 students, the TSWE was revalidated with writing samples. The coefficient of 0.54 was most impressive given that the TSWE scores were restricted to those…

Nine years after the National Science Education Standards' release, just how well do science teachers in grades 5 to 8 actually use them to plan content, define improved teaching, and assess real learning? Find out the answers to these key questions in this groundbreaking collection of 15 essays by teachers, researchers, and professors whose…