The Bayesian approach to setting passing scores, as proposed by Swaminathan, Hambleton, and Algina, is compared with the empirical Bayes approach to the same problem that is derived from Huynh's decision-theoretic framework. Comparisons are based on simulated data which follow an approximate beta-binomial distribution and on real test results from…

In most reliability studies, the precision of a reliability estimate varies inversely with the number of examinees (sample size). Thus, to achieve a given level of accuracy, some minimum sample size is required. An approximation for this minimum size may be made if some reasonable assumptions regarding the mean and standard deviation of the test…

The 1978 South Carolina Basic Skills Assessment Act mandated that a readiness test be administered to each beginning first grade student, and that the results be used to plan appropriate instruction. The Cognitive Skills Assessment Battery (CSAB) was selected for this purpose. This study was designed to determine if the CSAB provides adequate…

Norm referenced data were utilized for determining the mastery cutoff score on a criterion referenced test. Once a cutoff score on the norm referenced measure is selected, the cutoff score on the criterion referenced measure becomes that score which maximizes proportion of consistent classifications and proportion of improvement beyond change. (CP)