This pamphlet describes 8 key elements established to guide the Texas Reading Initiative, whose goal is that all students will read on grade level or above by the end of grade 3. The elements discussed in the pamphlet are: (1) increase awareness of students' reading skill levels in kindergarten through grade 3; (2) promote reading programs as…

This document contains materials directly related to the actual reading test of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), including the reading rubric, released passages, selected-response questions with answer keys, performance tasks, and scored samples of students' responses to the tasks. All of these items may be duplicated to…

The articles in this booklet address the questions raised by the Maine Learning Consortium in its efforts to look closely at, describe, and assess the use of programs such as the Exemplary Center for Reading Instruction (ECRI). Based on interviews with six teachers, the first article examines student achievement gains through the use of ECRI.…

A minimum standards amendment to the New Jersey Public School Act of 1975 requires the testing of public school students to determine proficiency in the minimum basic skills of reading and mathematics, under the auspices of the New Jersey State Department of Education's Educational Assessment Program. To meet the mandates of this amendment, the…

Beginning in 1999, all of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) had to be aligned with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards. This handbook describes the PSSA reading assessment. It contains samples and instructions for developing assessment items for grades 5, 8, and 11. Although designed for teachers, the Handbook is meant to be a…

Responding to a call to action by California's state leaders to make reading instruction in the early grades a top priority in the public schools, this booklet discusses California's new K-3 reading program. It begins with a discussion of what prompted this new focus on reading, and then discusses the four major elements of a balanced reading…

This manual contains information regarding the administration of the Oregon Statewide Assessment Program's tests in reading and literature, mathematics, science, and the social sciences. Parts of the manual address (1) background and preparation for testing; (2) general administration; (3) administering the mathematics test; (4) administering the…

The objectives and assessment characteristics of the Georgia Criterion-Referenced Tests for grade 1 are given to show teachers the range of content and type of questions. In mathematics, objectives are defined in areas of: (1) concept identification, recognition of the names and relationships between numbers; (2) component operations, use of…

The objectives and assessment characteristics of the Georgia Criterion-Referenced Tests of reading and mathematics for grade 2 are given to familiarize teachers and curriculum directors. In mathematics, objectives are defined for: (1) concept identification, testing understanding of the basic vocabulary and relationships of numbers; (2) component…

The objectives and assessment characteristics of the Georgia Criterion-Referenced Tests for grade 3 are defined for reading and mathematics. Mathematics objectives are given for: (1) concept identification, the recognition of names, relations, and properties of numbers and units; (2) component operations, using numbers and unit of measurement; and…

The reading and mathematics objectives of the Georgia Criterion-Referenced Tests for Grade 4 are described. In reading, objectives are defined for: (1) literal comprehension, the understanding of information explicitly stated in the materials; (2) inferential comprehension, the understanding of information not literally expressed; and (3) problem…

Reading and mathematics objectives measured by the eighth grade tests of the Georgia Criterion-Referenced Tests are described. This guide was designed to familiarize the teacher with assessment characteristics for each objective. Objectives in concept identification, component operations, and problem solving are defined for mathematics. All…

Background information is provided about the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) reading test, a test developed to meet the objectives specified by the State Board of Education in 1986. The revised test measures reading in a more interactive manner than did previous tests. The rationale of the test is presented, the revised reading…

This guide describes the background of the Texas Assessment of Basic Skills (TABS) program, objectives, and tests. It is designed to assist school personnel in reading and comprehending the student information contained in student performance data included in TABS reports. TABS is a criterion-referenced measure for assessment of student…

This guide is designed for school principals who bear the responsibility for the successful administration of Virginia's Competency Program. Several aspects of the program are described: legislative background; graduation requirements concerning citizenship and qualifying for further education or work; tests used to assess reading and mathematics…