A professor submitted a passage on Native American literature for the reading comprehension section of a postgraduate standardized test. The passage (reproduced in full) points out the difficult questions that Native American literature poses about personal identity. The passage was rejected as potentially disturbing to Native American test…

This document for participants comprises the proceedings of a fifth national conference on the retention of black college students. The conference consisted of 2 preconference workshops, 7 general sessions, and 21 concurrent sessions. A total of 68 selected papers were presented. Preconference workshops focused on the freshman year experience and…

This paper discusses some of the problems posed by external testing, including the social and racial complexities and the serious intellectual issues raised by the nature of a "standardized" examination. It is argued that these and other problems are likely to intensify to an unprecedented degree during the next several years as a result of…

The uses of a well-made standardized test are identified: as an assessment tool to help students identify their strengths, to improve learning programs, to help colleges select students, to gauge the learning of academic skills, and as an early warning system. (MLW)

Examines three standardized college composition tests in terms of the context of the assignment and the impact of social influences and the testing situation. Stresses inadequacies inherent to standardized composition testing. (HTH)

Current coaching practices used in training test wiseness for analogy items on standardized test batteries were investigated in a 3-group design involving about 100 undergraduates in each condition. The largest improvement came in items in the middle range of difficulty, but overall effects of coaching were important. (SLD)

An experienced observer and educator maintains that some of the best minds in education and psychology were involved in the development and use of standardized tests, and that a rejection of standarized testing is also a rejection of the principles of learning and true measurement of educational progress. (Author/LBH)

Examines the limitations of standardized test scores as predictors of success in college writing courses. Supports the selective use of writing samples as an additional placement tool. (MM)

An analysis of current efforts underway to assess higher education student outcomes points out three potential problem areas (negative impact on curriculum and instruction; easily undermined assessment; correlation between assessment and instructional improvement) and suggests approaches to ameliorate these difficulties. (CB)

Summarizes educators' and researchers' concerns regarding the use and misuse of standardized reading tests. Suggests a different model for reading assessment. (RS)

There is a need for more precise descriptions of the claims to truth of standardized tests, of their interpretive authority, and of the limits of understanding which are reached through their processes. Typically minority students who score poorly on such tests do because their schools fail to connect with them. Pedagogy, therefore, must somehow…

Test data were used to compare the grading of two forms of double mathematics: pure and applied math, and regular and advanced math. Results confirm expectations that in the former system, the grading is comparable, and in the latter, it is not necessarily comparable. Implications for student admission are discussed. (MSE)

A survey of problems in assessment and examinations in modern languages is offered, focusing in part on lack of consensus among teachers on relative weighting of qualities sought in student answers. Developments in standardized examinations are noted. (MSE)

Assesses the academic merit of an innovative undergraduate program designed to teach students the importance of critical thinking skills and social science concepts. As a result of these tests, students did improve their knowledge of some critical thinking skills relative to control. (Author)

Standardized tests will continue to be useful tools in selective admissions, but auxiliary services of such agencies as the College Board, which allows persons to systematically plan, manage, and evaluate operations, may well be the means of survival in the 80s. (Author)