Describes rationale and model for changing assessment efforts in schools from simple description to integration of information from multiple sources for purpose of designing interventions. Sees analyzing instructional environments for individual students as prerequisite for effective consultation and intervention planning. Suggests school…

Discusses the construction of validation examinations used to certify that students claiming transfer credit for a required course possess the required level of competency. Covers test specifications, writing test items, pretesting items, and formatting considerations. (CH)

Explains the rationale, methodology, and advantages of the regression equation approach to quantifying academic discrepancy, an aspect of learning disability. Variations of the expectancy formula and IQ-achievement difference approach produce serious errors of including too many above average children and too few below average. (JAC)

Describes the evolution of national educational assessment in the United States, its present stage of development, methodological and reporting problems, and approaches applicable to assessment data. Examines how proposed approaches can be applied in the California Assessment Program and in the National Assessment of Educational Progress. (MJL)

Investigated alternative reading monitoring measures in addition to time-consuming oral reading fluency assessment. Examined measures suitable for automatic data collection and scoring using computers and acceptable as measures of reading comprehension. Assessed criterion validity of four such measures and identified subset of measures. (Author/NB)

Presents a report of the Association of Departments of English's (ADE) investigation of issues and procedures concerning assessment in English departments. Offers advice to educators, based on information from department chairs and colleagues. (TB)

Presents microcomputer-based test scoring procedure with focus on measuring student information, partial information, and misinformation based on an information theoretic approach model of knowledge assessment. Admissible probability measurement scoring procedure described removes the constraint of forced choices, where guesses are based on…

This manual introduces and describes how to implement the School-PASS (School Practices for All Students' Success) Survey and planning process that allows schools to assess and improve their current services to meet the academic and social needs of new and diverse students. The manual describes a five-stage planning process and provides …

Considers approaches to assessing writing disabilities that use theory-based process measures to explain discrepancies between intelligence quotient (IQ) and achievement; may define learning disabilities independent of IQ; and employ branching diagnosis based on selected tests rather than all tests in standard battery. Outlines model for using…

Despite dramatic evolution during the past decade, assessment of student performance still has issues to address which present important challenges for educators and may determine whether assessment ultimately succeeds or fails. The three issues are evaluating students, applying assessment innovations (holistic scoring and portfolio assessment),…

The use of grade equivalent scores contrasted against grade placement is widespread in the diagnosis of dyslexia and other reading disabilities. Discusses difficulties and distortions of this method. Presents an alternative method for reliably determining aptitude/achievement discrepancies. (Author)

Title I Evaluation models using uniform procedures and data collection for state and national comparisons are interpreted as federal endorsement of basic, common competencies in reading and mathematics. Basic competencies, content homogeneity, conversion methodology, and validity of the evaluation are discussed. (MH)

Rasch methodology facilitates effective achievement comparisons to meet evaluation needs at the district, school, classroom, and individual levels. The five-year District Gains Graph developed by the Portland (Oregon) Public Schools charts fall-to-spring achievement gains in basic skills for Grades 3-8, as measured by the Portland Achievement…

This handbook presents a process for the assessment of college curricula and student learning in general education and liberal learning. The key concepts of the Coursework Cluster Analysis Model (CCAM) are described and explained. Some of the general guidelines on interpreting the results of CCAM analyses are presented as well as key decisions…

The New Hampshire Vocational Program Evaluation System (VPES) is designed to: (1) provide program improvement information; (2) provide information on local program effectiveness to aid in designing improvements; and (3) aid in complying with 1976 federal vocational education legislation. The evaluation system is divided into two components:…