Three types of student evaluation strategies used in Italy are described: (1) teacher's free comments; (2) standardized adjectives used as rating scales; and (3) numeric scores based on tests and other evaluation criteria. Implications of the third approach, which was implemented according to legislation in 1977, are discussed. (GDC)

Notes the weakness of comprehension assessment as it occurs in standardized tests and exercise books, and reports on a new approach which views reading as a constructive process that results from a complex set of interactions between reader and texts. (NH)

Describes a study comparing the assessment of student work by seven teachers with the assessment done by 20 secondary assessors. (PK)

Reviews the history of standardized assessment programs for college entrance, with particular emphasis on the community college testing programs. Examines responses of California community colleges to a 1982-83 survey of assessment procedures. Offers recommendations regarding the essential components of effective assessment. (DMM)

The drop in national test scores has led to many changes in mathematics education. This article presents a historical account of mathematics test results for California and for American youth. (Author/DF)

A study to investigate attitudes of elementary and secondary school teachers towards testing observed teachers' knowledge, information desired, student acceptance, external constraints, nature and quality of test information, and evaluative uses. Results show that teachers use tests often, have limited testing expertise, and are concerned about…

After comparing the continental schools of Europe with those of the United States, this paper deals with the disabilities of universities here and the possible ways of reducing or removing them. (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)

Investigated whether students would perceive items arranged in a hard-medium-easy order as being more difficult than the same items arranged in an easy-medium-hard order and whether the arrangements would influence scores. (MS)

While other explanations cannot be ruled out completely, the most plausible explanation for the decline in test scores is that school achievement is down. Confirmation of this view is found in areas other than test scores. (Author/IRT)

Assessment can be one of the most difficult aspects of teaching. The educational, emotional, and formative ramifications of judging a young person's work can weigh heavily on the mind of a teacher. In spite of the anxiety it poses, knowing how to assess students in order to improve instruction is a core principle of effective teaching. This…

The 1999 Florida Legislature revised the laws pertaining to the assessment of students in Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) facilities. Revisions identified specific requirements for measuring student academic progress in the basic skill areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. Following the passage of this legislation, the Department of…

As education policymakers have moved to reform K-12 public education, the roles of test publishers in assessment have expanded. In the last two decades these expanded roles have coincided with the movement of assessment to the center of education reform initiatives. The drive for improvement in public education has made the roles of test…

Article focused on the inadequacies of the standard aptitude tests and examined the possibility of opening up new systems for evaluation, thereby easing the rigidities consequent upon over-reliance on any single test. (Author/RK)