The use of standardized tests for outcome assessment has grown dramatically in recent years. Two driving factors have been the No Child Left Behind legislation, and the increase in outcome assessment measures by accrediting agencies such as AACSB, the international accrediting body for business schools. Despite the growth in usage, little effort…

Impromtu pre- and post-test essays by 302 students randomly selected from over 80 sections of a first-semester freshman composition course revealed significant improvement. (DD)

Classical procedures for calculating the two indices of decision consistency (P and Kappa) for criterion-referenced tests require two testings on each child. Huynh, Peng, and Subkoviak have presented one-testing procedures for these indices. These indices can be estimated without any test administration using Ebel's estimates of the mean, standard…

Educators have a need for a procedure to generate alternate forms of tests. The reliability of alternate forms generated from a table of specifications is examined, using 78 high school remedial mathematics students as subjects. (Editor)

Fifty-six children between the ages of two years four months and four years ten months were given tests relating to the acquisition of both 'specific' and 'generic' concepts. (Author)

In order to determine whether the success of the Personalized System of Instruction is due to the unit testing procedure or the study questions prior to examinations, this study compares student achievement on course examinations after required unit testing, optional unit testing, and absence of testing. (Author/RK)

Examines three reliability characteristics of the Harris revision of the Goodenough "Draw-a-man" Test when used with five-year-old school entrants. (Author/RK)

Declining test scores have been a major cause for concern in the past year. Describes the decline and explores some possible causes. (Editor/RK)

Takes a critical look at the Assessment of Performance Unit's proposals for monitoring attainment in mathematics. (Editor)

Describes a case study to determine whether performance tests are a feasible alternative to multiple-choice tests. Examines the difficulties of administering and scoring performance assessments. Explains that the study employed three performance tests and one multiple-choice test. Concludes that performance test administration and scoring was no…

This symposium deals with recent issues in the development of the National Assessment model. General goals are outlined and the following topics are discussed: "Objectives and Exercises" (Jack C. Merwin); "Sampling" (A. Finkner); and "Data Analysis" (John Milholland). (CK) Aspect of National Assessment (NAEP) dealt…

Survey results have suggested that, while teachers like to have test information available, most do not have great skill or consistency in interpreting test score data. Teachers who consider a certain type of test very valuable or useful are less likely to question the accuracy of the scores than are teachers who consider a test to be of little…

This paper traces the history of the College Entrance Examination Board from its beginnings through its operations in 1966. Using materials drawn from various published and unpublished sources both of the Board and of the Educational Testing Service, summary accounts of objectives, formats, manner of administration, scoring, and critical…