This essay argues that reliability should be reconceptualized in a way that reflects the importance of the theoretical expectations of the test specialist and the learning and problem solving of the test takers. It is time to characterize clearly the substantive theoretical framework supporting reliability studies and the technical evaluation of…

Several important issues to improvement of teaching and learning are identified: accountability, assessing effectiveness, increasing demands for data, expanding technology and research, and minority participation in higher education. Useful tools for institutional researchers emerging from work at National Center for Research to Improve…