Test-takers, policymakers, teachers, and institutions are increasingly demanding that testing programs provide more detailed feedback regarding test performance. As a result, there has been a growing interest in the reporting of subscores that potentially provide such detailed feedback. Haberman developed a method based on classical test theory…

English language testing has been developing with great momentum in China in the past two decades. However, little research is existent as to how these English tests are developed, administered, and used. This study reported a survey of English language testing practice in the Chinese context through empirically examining the testing practice of…

Student testing and knowledge assessment is a significant aspect of the learning process. In a number of cases, it is expedient not to present the exact same test to all learners all the time (Pritchett, 1999). This may be desired so that cheating in the exam is made harder to carry out or so that the learners can take several practice tests on…

This paper investigates the extent to which spring-to-spring testing timelines bias teacher value-added as a result of conflating summer and school-year learning. Using a unique dataset that contains both fall and spring standardized test scores, the author examines the patterns in school-year versus summer learning. She estimates value-added…

The problem of the structure of human abilities is approached within the framework of higher order confirmatory factor analysis. Non-hierarchical models suggested by Thurstone and Guilford are reviewed, and it is concluded that these models fail to give a theoretically and practically useful representation of the organization of human abilities.…

An assessment instrument and a questionnaire (Appendices A and B) were developed to determine how well teachers understand classroom testing principles and to gain information on the measurement preparation and classroom practices of teachers. Two hundred ninety-four inservice teachers, grades 1 through 12, from three urban school systems in…

Reports the development of a measure of teachers' attitudes toward testing. Teachers are constantly called on to use tests to make decisions that are crucial to the lives of their students, hence positive feelings will make for more responsible test use. Items address effects of tests on students, value of tests, and effectiveness of test results…

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) was administered to (N=72) elementary school children. Compared three methods of pretest rapport establishment for each of two age groups. Results found no significant differences on WISC-R scores as a result of the interaction of age and familiarity conditions. (Author)

This paper illustrates how statistical decision theory can be used to model aspects of the effectiveness of a course placement system. The illustration is based on data from students who enrolled in a first-year mathematics course at a midwestern university. To model the placement of students, the author first elicited students' and instructors'…

Reviews selected research studies on testing in science education to demonstrate that, although many tests do exist in science education, there are areas needing further development. (CS)

Reviews a study of the perceived importance of 47 measurement objectives by elementary and secondary education majors who had not taken a measurement course. Suggests origins of education majors' negative attitudes about testing and considers some remedies. (JD)

The National Assessment of Educational Progress uses a variety of test items and scoring techniques in measuring the writing achievement of three age groups--nine, thirteen, and seventeen year olds. This document discusses the holistic scoring of essays, including mechanical correctness and grammatical usage; the primary-trait method of scoring,…

Identifies questions pertinent to the issue of assessment. Notes that comparison of student achievements has negative social and psychological consequences. Suggests problems which are inherent in the process of assessment by objectives. Urges the measurement of the progress of each pupil from one stage of learning to the next. (KO)

A poorly designed data processing system in a school district testing office may cause a delay in the creation of test results, produce inaccurate results, or utilize more resources than are necessary. Therefore, the authors present a model of a data processing system as a basis for comparing systems in terms of the basic functions they must…

Incorporated in the media evaluation model developed by the Computer Based Project (Syracuse, N.Y.) is a procedure whereby independent samples are used to obtain baseline responses to cognitive question items. Items from two films are intermixed and presented after showing only one of the films; thus, the sample audience responds to questions from…