Measurement experts in the field of writing and writing-related competencies have to deal with fluctuating test reliability, implementation of efficient scoring procedures, and examining the validity of objective measures of writing. This study was undertaken to address measurement concerns brought to light by the competency-based assessment…

Three equating methods were compared in terms of magnitude of scale drift: equipercentile equating, linear equating, and item response theory (IRT) equating. A sample of approximately 2670 cases was selected for each pairing of a form of the Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) and an anchor test. Of the two conventional equating methods,…

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS DESIGNED TO COMPARE CHANGE IN CRITICAL THINKING IN GROUPS OF STUDENTS STUDYING HIGH SCHOOL BIOLOGY IN LABORATORY-CENTERED CLASSES AND IN LECTURE-DEMONSTRATION-CENTERED CLASSES. TWENTY BIOLOGY CLASSES WERE RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM THE FOUR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE SALT LAKE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. TEN CLASSES WERE RANDOMLY…

THIS PAMPHLET DISCUSSES FACTORS WHICH INFLUENCE OCCUPATIONAL CHOICES OF RURAL YOUTH. IT ALSO COMPARES (1) THE CAREER CHOICES OF RURAL AND URBAN YOUTH, (2) THE OCCUPATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF RURAL AND URBAN YOUTH, AND (3) THE FACTORS WHICH DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN FARM-REARED BOYS PLANNING TO FARM AND THOSE PLANNING NONFARM CAREERS. SUGGESTIONS FOR…

TENTATIVE DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURES, DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS, AND APPROPRIATE INTERVIEW FORMS THAT HAD BEEN DEVELOPED FOR USE IN A LATER SURVEY OF POST-SECONDARY TECHNICAL INSTITUTIONS WERE TRIED OUT IN FIVE REPRESENTATIVE SCHOOLS. THE FOLLOWUP STUDY WAS PLANNED TO BE A LARGE-SCALE INVESTIGATION OF STUDENT-SELECTION PRACTICES, ADMISSION…

THE RELATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF THREE AUDIOVISUAL TECHNIQUES WAS STUDIED WITH MENTALLY RETARDED PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE TECHNIQUES ESPECIALLY DESIGNED TO OVERCOME THE TRAITS OF MENTAL RETARDATES, CONSISTED OF (1) CONVENTIONAL FILM NARRATED BY A TEACHER, (2) UNNARRATED FILM WITH RESPONSES FROM CHILDREN ON THE SOUND TRACK, AND (3) SILENT FILM…

AN INVESTIGATION WAS MADE TO DETERMINE WHETHER AN OVERHEAD PROJECTOR AND TRANSPARENCY SET WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVE AND ACCEPTABLE TO TEACHERS AND STUDENTS THAN TIME-PROVEN CHALKBOARD DRAWINGS IN THE TEACHING OF A DESCRIPTIVE GEOMETRY COURSE. IT WAS FOUND THAT (1) THE LECTURE-DEMONSTRATION PERIOD CAN BE REDUCED TO ALLOW A LONGER SUPERVISED…

THE TALENTED YOUTH PROJECT (TYP) MATHEMATICS STUDY WAS DESIGNED AS A STUDY TO COMPARE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VARIOUS CURRICULUM PATTERNS AND PRACTICES IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION CURRENTLY USED WITH ACADEMICALLY TALENTED JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE SAMPLE CONSISTED OF 51 CLASSES AND 6 MATHEMATICS PROGRAMS. THE LORGE-THORNDIKE VERBAL INTELLIGENCE…

Field trips for preservice teachers as an integral part of academic coursework appear to positively influence student understanding of diverse educational techniques and problems, and the educational needs of diverse cultural and ethnic populations. A description is given of a field trip to Mexico for students in an introductory early childhood…

Rasch and classical test analysis methods were compared with respect to their similarities and differences in the identification of noninformative items and implausible person records. Using computer simulated data with known parameters, each model was evaluated in terms of its effectiveness in: (1) identifying noninformative or "bad"…

The purpose of this study was to determine if different teaching approaches produced differences in learning the limit and the derivative concepts in beginning calculus as measured by a common criterion test. An ordered combination of two teaching approaches--the concrete inductive and the abstract deductive--was used for the two sequential topics…

The purpose of the study was to determine whether higher shorthand speeds were achieved by high school students in a 1-year shorthand course through the use of Simplified Gregg Shorthand or through the use of Diamond Jubilee (DJ) Gregg Shorthand. The control group consisted of 75 students enrolled in Simplified Shorthand during the years…

Investigated was academic achievement of Earth Science Curriculum Project (ESCP) students in permissive and authoritarian classes. Authoritarian and permissive teachers were identified in the formal ESCP program using McGee's F-Scale; Form 30. Random samples of students and teachers were chosen from the 15 test centers throughout the United…

The purpose of this dissertation was to compare two methods of teaching beginning shorthand to students in selected inner-city high schools in Dallas, Texas. Using the traditional approach, shorthand theory was introduced by the teacher through chalkboard presentations. In the programmed approach students learned theory individually by using a…

Since communication education in nonacademic settings has emerged as an alternative career opportunity for a number of communication graduates, it is important that there be an understanding of the differences between teaching in academic and nonacademic settings. The major philosophical differences center on three issues: the first involves the…