In 2002, the United States Supreme Court confirmed that in the school's role of in loco parentis, drug testing of students who were involved in athletics and extracurricular activities was constitutional. In a state of the union address, George W. Bush stated that drug testing in schools had been effective and was part of "our aggressive…

This paper presents a method of designing and implementing a kindergarten screening procedure utilizing principles of systems intervention, needs analysis, and criterion referenced testing. Emphasis is placed on involvement of all elements of the educational system and on careful delineation of the role of each. Teachers are actively involved in…

Eight placement systems currently used in selected California community colleges are described in this paper. Following introductory comments on the variety and complexity of placement systems used in community colleges, issues related to English placement examinations are highlighted. Next, the eight placement models are described, focusing, with…

The report presents a screening and identification model for use with primary children to identify giftedness. The procedure is designed to be objective and employs multiple selection criteria. The Bayesian approach is used as it applies a probability methodology. The steps in instrument development include, among others, a review of the relevant…

Since 1984, passing scores on the Preprofessional Skills Tests (PPST) have been required for entry into teacher education programs at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). College of education faculty, concerned because the majority of their population has traditionally been older, Hispanic students, developed a pre-PPST screening and…

In 1990, Massachusetts Bay Community College (MBCC) collaborated with six other Massachusetts colleges to assist them in using MBCC's assessment program as a model to supplement or replace their existing assessment strategies. At each associate college, campus coordinators were selected and assessment task forces were formed to identify assessment…

The New Jersey College Basic Skills Placement Test (NJCBSPT) is administered in a new form each year to all entering freshmen in New Jersey public colleges and 12 participating independent colleges. The NJCBSPT was taken by 44,344 students from March through December 1985. Test results revealed the following: (1) 26% were proficient in verbal…

The Testing Center at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) in North Carolina, Educational Testing Service, and the College Board are participating jointly in pilot and field testing Computerized Placement Tests (CPTs). CPTs, which assess communications, reading, and mathematics skills, have the following benefits: (1) students may take the…

This paper explores the potential psychoeducational value of a perceptual-motor screening program designed to evaluate kindergarten and first grade children in a public elementary school. The possibility of providing such a service within the framework of a university training program is examined, and the value to the university and the community…

The New York Regents Competency Testing Program has been designed to assure that all students develop adequate skills in reading comprehension, writing, and mathematics before graduation from high school. In this booklet, information is provided on two elements of the Regents Competency Testing Program: diploma standards and screening tests.…

New developments in testing in the United Kingdom (UK) since 1965 are described. Standardized testing at the local level declined dramatically with the widespread introduction of comprehensive secondary education. However, in the late 1970's widespread local testing programs were re-introduced for the purposes of monitoring student progress,…

Describes advantages and disadvantages of computer-assisted foreign language testing, including unique capabilities of the computer, types of tests possible, limitations, problems, and language skill testing. The Spanish Computer Adaptive Placement Examination, developed at Brigham Young University (Utah), is described. (CB)

The pattern toward an increase in the number of states using some form of competency testing prior to the certification of educators is substantiated in this paper. Competency testing programs are implemented at three distinct levels: (1) before entrance into a teacher education program near the end of the sophomore year in college; (2) at the end…

Offered within the context of proposed legislation affecting matriculation and assessment in California's community colleges, this report analyzes current assessment practices and basic skills programs in the Kern Community College District (KCCD) and offers options and recommendations for improvement. Chapter 1 provides an introductory discussion…

Providing continuity in education and the opportunity to study in an environment conducive to learning was the first priority of Utah's Migrant Education program during fiscal year 1981. Operating in 10 districts, 29 teachers and 27 aides (almost all bilingual) served 547 children, kindergarten through grade 12, with 86% being elementary students.…