When administering an in-class exam, a common decision that confronts every instructor is whether the exam format should be closed book or open book. The present review synthesizes research examining the effect of administering closed-book or open-book assessments on long-term learning. Although the overall effect of assessment format on learning…

While federal law requires students to be tested in math, English-language arts and science in particular grades, states are still struggling to mount the resources and expertise necessary to fully implement college and career readiness standards, let alone new assessments aligned to these higher standards. New assessments are not only more…

The purpose of this reference guide is to enable test consumer to identify published measures which may meet their particular needs. The basic features include notations of whether norm data are reported in the test manual; indexes to "Buro's Mental Measurement Yearbooks" or "Reading Tests and Reviews" for evaluation; complete…

Describes the Dutch rating system for test quality, which evaluates a test for seven criteria, and analyses the results of test ratings from the past 18 years. Results show a steady increase in test quality in the Netherlands that can be attributed to use of better tests and declining use of tests of less quality after evaluation. (SLD)

Describes the 1997 revision of the Dutch Rating System for Test Quality used by a committee of the Dutch Association of Psychologists. The rating system evaluates test quality on seven criteria using a checklist for each criterion. Comment sections provide additional information, and weighting rules establish the final grades. (SLD)

The national criteria found in many textbooks were shown to be ineffective in teaching subject and verb concepts. (JH)

Discusses the assessment component of individualized education programs for students with visual impairments. Important issues reviewed are the appropriate selection of a battery of tests; the knowledge base about a particular vision condition; the importance of supplementing testing information with meaningful observations and interviews; and…

Fundamental problems in the collection and use of data, in particular the need to develop and use criteria for data, are discussed. Specific examples of the use and misuse of data related to teachers and children in the public schools are presented. Two methods of data collection--manifest techniques and formal response instruments--are evaluated…

A procedure for in-depth analysis of a limited number of tests being considered for selection by a school, district, project, or state personnel is described. This procedure involves listing the objectives that it would be desirable to measure determining the relative importance of each of these objectives, having "judges" match test items to…

Eleven author contributed papers presented at a 1978 conference on measuring the growth and development of young handicapped children are presented. N. Anastasiow presents a rationale for measurement in his paper "A Philosophical Perspective: Why Measure Child Progress?'" Seven papers address instrument selection: "Screening, Diagnosis, and…

The fourth edition of this reference guide contains information on thousands of assessment instruments published by 221 publishers and available for use by psychologists, educators, and human resources personnel. The assessments described are organized according to a system of primary classification and cross referencing intended to make the…

The increased attention to measuring career skills has resulted in more instrument development, more testing of students, and more test administrators. There are three key areas of concern. The first area is that of identifying purposes to be served by assessing career skills. Purposes include permitting descriptions of the current status of…

A vital aspect of music education often left unattended in preservice education is testing and evaluation. Discussed are ways to measure musical achievement and aptitude and factors to consider when selecting a test for student evaluation. Recommended achievement and aptitude tests are described. (RM)

This report reviews the progress made by the New York State Education Department and local school districts in developing and implementing a comprehensive student evaluation program for elementary and secondary education. With the assistance of local school district personnel and technical consultants, the department concentrated its efforts on…

To assist in implementing the requirements of Public Law 99-457, the Education of the Handicapped Ammendments, 1986, practical information is provided about 15 appropriate assessment instruments for use with visually handicapped children, ages birth through 5. Descriptive analyses of selected assessment instruments include the title, author(s),…