In general, for teachers to prepare to teach, run a class, and assess student work, they need a class with students, well-structured courses, and an assessment to measure student progress. Teachers should be prepared to use traditional and virtual settings for a successful classroom. Teachers should also use three knowledge-learning objectives,…

This chapter on high school equivalency describes recent events involved in updating the adult education high school equivalency assessment services and the entrance of additional assessments into the field.

This study examines the effectiveness of three approaches for maintaining equivalent performance standards across test forms with small samples: (1) common-item equating, (2) resetting the standard, and (3) rescaling the standard. Rescaling the standard (i.e., applying common-item equating methodology to standard setting ratings to account for…

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of discrete anchor items versus passage-based anchor items on observed score equating using empirical data.This study compares an "SAT"® critical reading anchor that contains more discrete items proportionally, compared to the total tests to be equated, to another anchor that…

Colleges have long had mechanisms for awarding students credit for prior learning, from evaluating transcripts to establishing standards for the units and course credit to be associated with designated scores on nationally and internationally recognized curricula and exams. While the processes for awarding credit via these traditional mechanisms…

Describes the procedures that a community college used in instituting an exit examination for a developmental writing course. Discusses reasons for the policies that were set up and tells what has been learned as a result of using the exit examination. (RL)

Reports consistently demonstrate that the attainment of a high school diploma is not simply of value to the individual student, but that the benefit of a high school diploma is reaped by the graduate's community as well. Most educators readily acknowledge the importance of dropout prevention and the significance of a high school diploma. A…

The challenge examination covers content, communication abilities, medications, and nursing procedure demonstrations. This approach provides both the equivalency testing necessary to equate past learning with material covered in a particular course. (MW)

More than half of the colleges and universities in the U.S. require entering freshmen to present scores on the American College Test (ACT) as a condition of admission. Within recent years, colleges and universities have been asked to determine procedures whereby prior educational achievement and life experiences could be evaluated and college…

Since credit-by-examination is an intrinsically sound educational device, those who administer it might well take steps to protect it from abuse. Colleges should insist that both content specialists and measurement experts participate in evaluating the tests and the College Entrance Examination Board should revise its procedures so that…

It was concluded from the study that for predicting General Educational Development Test scores, the scores from the paragraph meaning and the individual subject matter areas of the SATB should be noted. (Author)

A description is given of the system developed by the College Board during the past three decades through which, on the basis of examination, more than 1,500 colleges award degree credit for prior learning. Over 140,000 individuals take the examinations each year. (Author/MSE)

Discusses the search of many postsecondary educational institutions to find acceptable ways to grant credit for out-of-school learning. Describes sources of potential credit, assessment approaches, and structuring of the credit granting process. (JH)