Reasons for not returning a questionnaire were studied among Lutheran church members sent a postcard to indicate no intention of replying. The analysis is based on 431 returned postcards. For most nonresponders, the interest value of the questionnaire topic was not high enough. Many who returned the negative reply card would be resistant…

Three procedures that help to determine the degree of confidence we can place in any raw score are discussed: computing the standard error of measurement, computing the estimated true score, and constructing confidence intervals. These three procedures are easy to use and require only elementary mathematical skills. (Author/CL)

Undergraduates (N=32) in a special education survey course generally expressed positive reactions to a microcomputer-based testing program. No significant differences were found between the microcomputer-based program and paper-and-pencil varieties. (CL)

Data contained in the Learning Potential Assessment Device report were compared with information in a standard psychological report for value in educational programming with 146 graduate special education students. Ss rated both reports negatively. Neither report was perceived to be valuable for program planning purposes. (Author/CL)

The normative implications of applying significance tests in evaluation research are examined. The authors conclude that evaluators often make normative decisions, based on the traditional .05 significance level in studies with small samples. Additional reporting of the magnitude of impact, the significance level, and the power of the test is…

Argues that hypothesis testing is an inadequate paradigm for evaluating academic debates because (1) defenders of hypothesis testing cannot meet the standards they impose on other arguers and (2) hypothesis testing does not achieve its goal of discovering probable truth. (PD)

Educators worry that high-stakes testing will induce teachers and their students to focus only on the test and ignore other, untested aspects of knowledge. Some counter that although this may be true, knowing something is better than knowing nothing and many students would benefit even by learning the material that is to be tested. Using the…

Many research-related classes in social sciences present probability as a unified approach based upon mathematical axioms, but neglect the diversity of various probability theories and their associated philosophical assumptions. Although currently the dominant statistical and probabilistic approach is the Fisherian tradition, the use of Fisherian…

The Mantel Haenszel (MH; 1959) approach of Holland and Thayer (1988) is a well-established method for assessing differential item functioning (DIF). The formula for the variance of the MH DIF statistic is based on work by Phillips and Holland (1987) and Robins, Breslow, and Greenland (1986). Recent simulation studies showed that the MH variances…

Three groups of persons are involved in the testing enterprise: test producers, test users, and test takers. A wide literature is available to guide the first two groups, but only recently have measurement professionals considered the interests of test takers in any careful way. The content of this chapter is presented as a set of 26…

Assessment tools from the counseling arena can be useful in educational settings for developing effective instructional strategies and learning environments; identifying students who would benefit from referral to a mental health professional; and promoting student's growth and well-being by fostering self-awareness and identity development. In…

In June 2004, in conjunction with the Council of Chief State School Officers' (CCSSO) 34th national conference on large-scale assessment, the Institute for the Advancement of Emerging Technologies in Education (IAETE) at AEL hosted a daylong symposium to discuss critical policy issues related to technology-supported assessments. Held in Boston,…

Examples are presented in which students are able to answer test items requiring manipulation of numbers for such topics as reducing fractions, but lack understanding of the operation. In addition to paper-and-pencil test, interviews are recommended for evaluating a student's understanding. (JP)

Compares the American and British systems of continuous examinations, concluding that the British can benefit most by incorporating elements from each system. (RB)