Some basic maxims of the field of diagnostic/prescriptive testing for academically deficient college students are as follows: the end purpose of diagnostic testing must be, not to screen out prospective students, but to match the available resources of the campus to the strengths and weaknesses of the student; testing is the essential tool in…

A study was undertaken to examine and strengthen the examination system at Hampshire College. During the study the college was in its third and fourth years of operation. The system, known as progress by examination, is comprised of six diagnostic and evaluative meetings between students and their faculty to determine their eventual satisfactory…

The report describes an elementary grade level career awareness program which was organized around four open-spaced non-graded learning centers: a kindergarten and three other learning centers in which students stayed for two-year periods to explore the 15 career clusters identified by the U.S. Office of Education. Each learning center used a…

A computer simulation of Bayes' Theorem was conducted in order to determine the probability that an examinee was a master conditional upon his test score. The inputs were: number of mastery states assumed, test length, prior expectation of masters in the examinee population, and conditional probability of a master getting a randomly selected test…

Test batteries that predict first quarter freshman GPA's at an open-door predominantly black, urban, community college are reported in this study. Entering freshman performance on an academic aptitude test--College Qualification Tests (CQT), a reading skills test--Davis Reading Test (Davis), and a study habits and attitudes test--Survey of Study…

A college reading improvement program (CRIP) at the University of South Florida was examined to determine if it was of benefit to the participating students. Sixty-five freshmen took part in the 15-week program which used individually planned programs and different methods and materials. Pretesting had shown these 65 students to be significantly…

One hundred fifty-nine seventh grade mathematics students were divided into four treatment groups: 1) traditional, tested after each unit, 2) individualized, tested after each unit, 3) individualized, tested after each objective, and 4) individualized, chose to be tested after each objective. Each group was divided into high and low math ability…

This bulletin, now in its fifth edition, provides the teacher with specific assistance in evaluating student behavior in two vital areas of social studies education--study skills and critical thinking. The first three chapters provide background discussion on the problems of teaching and testing these skills and offer some general suggestions. A…

Intended for those who have had no technical training in the teaching of basic reading, this manual provided step-by-step instructions so that inexperienced tutors can apply professional approaches to teaching reading. The chapters of the book discuss the problem of functional illiteracy, the profile of a good literacy teacher, the profile of an…

This report summarizes the research and development activities of two Work units of the Schools and Maturity program from March 1, 1973 to November 30, 1975. The two Work Units described are (1) Theory Construction and Test Development, and (2) Validation of Psychosocial Maturity Scales. Abstracts of technical reports and journal articles…

Recently, educational evaluation has attempted to use the precision, objectivity, and mathematical rigor of the psychological measurement field as well as to find ways in which instrumentation and data utilization could more directly be related to educational institutions, educational processes, and educational purposes. The linkages between…

Review the progress and refinement of educational assessment during the past 40 years. Discusses the dynamic effects of the interaction between persons in various fields of educational practice and persons specializing in educational evaluation. Mentions adoption by the U.S. Army of psychological and educational tests for purposes of selection and…

The developer of the Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth Program (SMPY) recounts his impressions during a tour of education programs in the People's Republic of China, addressing the apparent love of learning, emphasis on mathematical achievement, scholarly activities of university faculty, and testing issues. (CB)

Marking strategies used in the Danish school system from the compulsory Folkeskole level through higher education are described, with emphasis on "the 13-Scale." Problems, impacts, recent developments, and trends in marking strategies and the communication of their meaning are discussed. (BS)

Discusses the Document Based Question (DBQ) as a way of assessing critical thinking skills. Examines several weaknesses with this type of test item and offers suggestions for overcoming them. Advocates the method continue to be used. (JDH)