Reiterates the case for adopting a proficiencies approach to instruction and learning in the economics major. Lists five proficiencies and discusses the emphasis given to these proficiencies with top economics undergraduates at two major research universities. (RLH)

Discusses the need for new student evaluation methods that are applicable to online distance learning in higher education. Highlights include challenges faced in online learning as compared to traditional classroom instruction; types of online assessment strategies and examples of activities, including performance assessments, virtual discussions,…

A sampling of student assessment and accountability in selected countries to help put trends in the United States in perspective. Examines national student assessments in England, France, and Hong Kong. Also looks at several international collaborative assessment projects for reading literacy, mathematics, and science. (Contains 10 references.)…

Revised Thelen's (1954) Group Emotionality Rating System, developing new criteria and assessment procedures. A reliability study of 4,343 verbal statements from 6 different Norwegian groups revealed an overall agreement of .77, with the emotionality subcategories ranging from .57 to .67. Discusses validity of the emotionality categories according…

A computerized assessment battery was developed to determine memory impairment in head-injured individuals, using an interactive video system, consisting of a videodisc player, microcomputer, and video display. Subtests measure reaction time; reaction time with distractors; recall of object locations, grocery list, and names/faces; telephone use;…

Thirty-five studies on the efficacy of special class versus regular class placement for mildly handicapped students were reviewed for the power of their statistical tests. Twenty-one studies had adequate power to detect a large effect size but the power to detect a medium effect size was no better than chance. (Author/DB)

The measurement of the performance of schools is complicated by the need to adjust for differences in input mixes. Schools may have a differential effect on the performance of different types of pupils. Rather than a single performance indicator, a system of indicators is needed. Characteristics of a good indicator system are identified. (KDP)

Analyzes how the testing and evaluation of social studies students can contribute to the development of participatory citizenship. Suggests that testing and other kinds of evaluation can help teachers weigh the appropriateness and effectiveness of the social studies curriculum. Includes recommendations for evaluation instruments, student…

Summarizes research supporting current beliefs in testing, identifies good assessment qualities, and reviews the current knowledge of test design. Standardized tests negatively affect academic program quality. Alternative assessments must be judged by their validity, reliability, consequences, fairness, generalizability, cognitive complexity,…

This study explored whether standard administration and scoring of conventional articulation tests accurately identified 20 children (ages 5-9) as phonologically disordered and whether test data established severity levels and programing needs. Tests correctly identified the phonological disorders but failed to reliably differentiate severity…

Fourteen estimates were made of "g" (general cognitive ability) from the normative sample of a multiple-aptitude test battery with a weighted sample representing 25,409,193 men and women. The methods, which included principal components, unrotated principal factors, and hierarchical factor analysis, are equivalent for this test. (SLD)

Considers the need for and status of assessment literacy for teachers. The article examines whether teachers need to assess, whether there are preservice assessment courses, what assessment courses should teach, what topics are covered in other courses, what is happening with assessment in the schools, and what is needed. (SM)

This paper reviews the literature on projective drawing tests and child sexual abuse, focusing on children's drawings as an associative tool for memory. The use of the event drawing series, which is a series of seven drawings by a child that graphically present the child's thinking about a specific event, is discussed. (JDD)

This survey of 34 primary schools and 5 local education authorities in Great Britain examined reactions to the pilot test of Key Stage 1 standard assessment tasks (SATs), as they related to special needs students. Teachers' criticisms focused on the overwhelming workload, questionable SAT reliability, and resulting decline in the quality of…

A study involving 34 fifth- and sixth graders examined the equivalence of paper-and-pencil and computer-based versions of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT), Figural Forms A and B. Computer-based TTCT scores were not equivalent with the paper-and-pencil version. Computer-based scores did show different response tendencies among…