Discusses the correlation between corporate performance and the use of information technology. Tests a model that was based on management information systems literature. Examines system effectiveness, user information satisfaction, organizational conversion, top management commitment, and organizational climate. Discusses testing in Austrian and…

Discusses President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act and addresses the flaws of the program. Addresses the program's focus on student assessments, relationship between assessment and accountability, and mandated assessments for public school. Also discusses how the program does not affect private and religious schools. (MZ)

A pilot test of 700 students in grades three, four, and five, investigated the reliability of curriculum-valid mathematics survey tests. The development of the test and the taxonomy of curriculum analysis that was beneficial in test construction is described. Results indicate the effectiveness of the test. (CR)

Relates how two elementary school teachers were part of a research group that met one day a week at their schools to learn about the "hypothesis-test" process. Discusses the philosophical underpinnings of the approach and describes the four-step recursive process itself, consisting of observations, interpretations, hypothesis, and curricular…

Illustrates the "hypothesis-test" teaching approach with one kindergarten student. Notes that it was the author's stepping back to watch for multiple interpretations of her observations of Jaime's behavior that gave Jaime space to think, to use his voice to make connections, and to grow. (SR)

Providers of psychoeducational assessment services for hearing-impaired children, from infants to adolescents, were surveyed concerning their educational and experiential background, communication modes used, problems encountered, and educational placements of assessed children. Frequency of use scores and rankings are reported for psychological…

A comparison of the holistic, error-count, and categorical methods of assessing written work presents disadvantages and advantages in terms of validity, reliability, and efficiency. The results of a pilot study indicate that the error-count method may provide the most benefits. (CB)

A study investigated the use of a clinical competency test for foreign medical graduates applying for medical residency. The test, developed by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) consists of integrated clinical encounters with 10 standardized patients, 60 laserdisc pictorials, and analysis of previously completed…

This literature review discusses the match between tests and curricula, measurement validity and instructional utility when sampling student performance in general and advantages/disadvantages of sampling performance in the curriculum. It concludes that sampling from the curriculum is not essential and outlines three critical features ensuring the…

In spite of many inherent problems, impact evaluation should remain an integral part of program evaluation, both because impact evaluation brings its budget justification with it, and because its focus on causal hypotheses is an essential part of evaluation. Methodology based on the author's body of work is reviewed. (SLD)

Critiques an article that compared genuine suicide notes with simulated notes. Elaborates on theoretical and methodological difficulties, noting a lack of hypotheses, operationalized constructs, and prediction testing. Examines the operational design used in the article and suggests that the study of suicide notes in such a fashion should cease.…

Discusses faculty evaluation programs at 11 community colleges, focusing on procedures used, the frequency of evaluation, and areas evaluated. Indicates that although the 11 colleges used all of the main types of faculty evaluation procedures, substantive differences existed among the schools regarding frequency of use and instrument content. (MAB)

Cost factors associated with the development, administration, and scoring of performance assessment tasks are examined in the context of a statewide or other large-scale assessment program. Resources of money, time, and expertise are discussed. (SLD)

Describes promising assessment practices for enhancing the education of students at risk for school failure, viewing assessment as the practice of collecting qualitative and quantitative data that are helpful in planning instructional programs. Teaming is recommended to help improve assessment procedures. (SM)

Two criteria defined in previous research that can be used to evaluate the validity of normative data provided for customized tests are discussed. Results of an exploratory investigation of the validity of such data for about 2,500 fifth graders in a 1989 study are reported. (SLD)