This paper looks at some of the problems arising from the procedures used by the Queensland, Australia, Board of Secondary School Studies to compile percentile scores known as Tertiary Entrance Scores. Although efforts to equate across schools and across subjects are being challenged, at present there is no alternative. (LMO)

This study examines the Average System, an alternate procedure to the Rasch Model, for equating test scores. This technique does not require computers and can be easily employed by classroom teachers. A validation experiment using 23 sets of 10-item arithmetic tests constructed from a 230-item bank is described. (BS)

This study examines the effect of changes in the secondary education system of the Netherlands, with particular attention to MAVO as the lowest level of general education. The conclusion is made that these changes have had a negative effect on the final ability level attained by the students concerned. (LMO)

The Eindtoets Basisonderwijs (final primary school test) is a Dutch national achievement test taken annually by 90,000 pupils. This article overviews the Dutch educational system and describes this testing program, emphasizing test equating methods. Evaluation findings from 1980 and resulting changes in test content and evaluation reports are also…

A design for test equating based on Item Response Theory is proposed and illustrated through a simulation study of about 1,000 primary students taking two examinations. This test-equating method allows decision makers in a standard setting exercise access to high quality information. (SLD)

This article traces the evolution of a quest for solving the problems involved in the analysis of multilevel data and the estimation of the value added effects of schools in influencing educational outcomes. The authors report the findings of two studies that followed several cohorts of students that were tested at two grade levels (Grade 3 and…