The synthetic function is a weighted average of the identity (the linking function for forms that are known to be completely parallel) and a traditional equating method. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the benefits of the synthetic function on small-sample equating using various real data sets gathered from different…

Teachers are now experiencing the age of quantitative test-driven assessment, in which there is little weight accorded to teacher-based judgement about student progress. In the Australian context, the NAPLaN test has become a driving force in school and teacher accountability. The language of NAPLaN is one of bands and numerical scores and…

The most critical feature of a common-item nonequivalent groups equating design is that the average score difference between the new and old groups can be accurately decomposed into a group ability difference and a form difficulty difference. Two widely used observed-score linear equating methods, the Tucker and the Levine observed-score methods,…

This study was designed to carry out a survey of the implementation of continuous assessment (CA) in Nigerian universities. Two research questions and one hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. The sample for the study consisted of 1,340 respondents. A 24 item self-report instrument was used for the study. The data generated, were analyzed…

When evaluating the effectiveness of an educational program, multiple matrix sampling is particularly effective and efficient when the goal of the evaluation is estimating group (as opposed to individual) performance. The technique is described in some detail, with its advantages and disadvantages, and examples of its application are given.…

Analyzes Hughes and Nelson's study of placement testing at Riverside Community College and offers an alternative method of evaluating placement systems using logistic regression. Reanalyzes data from an ASSET placement test validity study using logistic regression. (DMM)

This bulletin describes two phases of an experiment in examining science, one in 1963, and the second in 1964. The first phase of the experiment explored two forms of assessment: a Scientific Thinking paper; and a Practical paper. In the second phase two further factors were introduced: a Facts and Principles paper; and an Assessment of course…

Attainment tests in English and mathematics were administered to a total sample of 2,011/15-year old students. The English test consisted of a composition and a test battery of objective items. Marking of the composition was made by the test designer on a rapid first-impression reading. The objective test battery consisted of a comprehension test,…

Act Number 307, Public Acts of Michigan 1969, mandates that the Department of Education provide annual assessment of pupil achievement in basic skills -- reading, vocabulary, English expression and mathematics. The purpose of the assessment program is to provide information about groups of children for decision makers at the state level. A…

The efficiency of three written papers dealing with essay writing, comprehension, and literature papers as a test of English ability was assessed in a trial examination administered to 182 boys and 216 girls, all of whom were 16 years of age. Criterion was established on the basis of teachers' assessments of six essays written by the students…

While the publication of school report cards and profiles is common in a number of states, their contents and formats vary as they represent the concerns and initiatives of policymakers. Over the past several years, detailed analyses have been conducted of the report cards of southern and southeastern states. This report compared report cards and…

While the publication of school report cards and profiles is common in a number of states, their contents and formats vary as they represent the concerns and initiatives of policymakers. Over recent years, several studies have been made of school report cards and profiles. In this investigation, the focus is a comparison of report cards and…

Florida's Statewide Assessment Program of the State Department of Education has been involved in a major effort to develop adequate strategies for releasing and publishing assessment scores for schools. One dimension of this effort has been the development of predicted or "adjusted" scores. These scores compare a school to other similar…

The Statewide Assessment Program of the Florida State Department of Education is responsible for measuring student achievement and disseminating the assessment results. One dimension of this effort has been the development of predicted or adjusted school scores. These scores are based on several factors which are related to achievement. Among…

Ten papers presented at the first annual meeting of the Georgia Educational Research Association describe the following topics in educational research: (1) development and evaluation of the Elementary Curriculum Development Program, which involves individualized instruction in grades K-8; (2) reliability of the eighth grade reading subscales on…