The establishment of international testing regimes such as the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), and the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) has provided one way for individual countries to monitor the effectiveness of their educational…

The purpose of the study was to explore the effects of various practical instruction procedures on academic performance. Six sections of an introductory sociology course were assigned various experimental conditions involving quizzing and incentives. Examinations were administered at intervals during the course and once after course completion.…

Examination results were compared among pupils at three schools with different provision policies for the 16+ examinations. Results at both 16+ and "A" level confirm previous findings that intelligence and social background relate significantly to examination performance. The school policy variations were also found to significantly…

This report is the product of the first year of study of the Statewide Systemic Initiatives (SSI) Study on exploring data and methods to assess and understand the performance of states participating in the SSI. The report describes three sets of studies. The first studied valid and reliable measures of student achievement, and how to combine…

This is the first in a series of reports on the educational progress of Texas public schools. It reviews the concerns that led to the development of the integrated accountability system now used in Texas and examines this system relative to those of other states. A major new research and evaluation effort, the Statewide Texas Educational Progress…

This publication is the sixth issue of a report required by state legislation to examine how well North Carolina schools are serving the children and youth of the state. It presents information that is related primarily to the outcomes of education based on student achievement. Statewide performance results and individual reports for the 119 local…

Achievement test scores and measures of district and pupil characteristics were analyzed for all California school districts. Achievement test scores were found to be highly correlated among each other. The best single predictor of achievement scores was a measure of family poverty. Scholastic aptitude scores were not used as predictors.…

Factors influencing academic achievement in a school or school system were examined, using data from studies of mathematics and science achievement of high school and college bound students in Australia. Two curricular factors, opportunity to learn and time spent in learning, were related to achievement. (GDC)

A socially moderated link was established between statewide achievement results and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) by using the same achievement level descriptions in an Iowa Test of Basic Skills standard-setting and an NAEP standard setting study. A statistically moderated link was established through an equipercentile…

In the early 1990s, states began establishing standards in academic subjects backed by test-based accountability systems to see that the standards were met. Incentives were implemented for schools and students based on pupil test scores. These early accountability systems paved the way for passage of landmark federal legislation, the No Child Left…

The Minister's Advisory Committee on Student Achievement (MACOSA) of Alberta, Canada studied student achievement in grades 3, 6, 9, and 12. Students were tested in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies (grade 12 only). Tests were based upon cognitive objectives considered to be important to the curriculum, and results were to…

The National Education Goals Panel (NEGP) tracks and reports annually on 33 indicators linked to the 8 National Education Goals. The NEGP's 1997 report showed positive gains on the greatest number of indicators for North Carolina and Texas. These gains included significant gains on the 1996 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in…

Educational standards, student achievement and basic skills are discussed. Various definitions of standards are given, and a definition which encompases individual differences is preferred. Educational research conducted in New Zealand indicates that there has been no sharp decline in academic achievement, although in primary- and…

Statistical data and comments describe the results of the 1977 eighth grade testing program in Ontario, Canada. The tests were: Mathematics (in French and English), Problem Solving (in French and English); Science (in English only), Attitudes, French Comprehension, and Written English. Table 1 presents the numbers of students, by school district,…

To compare achievement standards of 1977 with those of 1956, three tests were administered in their original form to all third graders in a large school district. Approximately 3500 students in 1956 and 4500 in 1977 were administered the California Achievement Tests, the California Short Form Tests of Mental Maturity, and the Gates Advanced…