Large-scale assessment programs such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), and Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) use a sophisticated assessment administration design called matrix sampling that minimizes the testing burden on individual…

As a result of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2002, the field of education has seen a heavy emphasis on the use of "scientifically based research" for designing and testing the effectiveness of new and existing educational programs. According to NCLB, when addressing basic cause and effect questions scientifically based…

This study is an a priori demonstration of the applicability of multiple matrix sampling techniques to the practical research problem of parameter estimation. Three tests were administered to two separate but parallel populations, with one receiving item samples and the other receiving full tests. Special efforts were made to minimize the context…

The assumption that an examinee's response to an item is independent of the context in which it occurs is tested. (PR)

An expanded multiple matrix sampling procedure to collect assessment data for health education courses in upper elementary and junior high schools is outlined. This supplement to the Cooperative Health Education Test provides data at the school building and district levels. (JMF)

Research performed pursuant to a grant from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation.

Comprehensive Achievement Monitoring (CAM), a new evaluation method, systematically and comprehensively measures student achievement. The unique characteristics of this model are described in detail, as are those of two more familiar models, classroom testing, and curriculum program evaluation. The amount and quality of information available from…

It is sometimes desirable to obtain an estimated total-test score for an individual who was administered only a subset of the items in a total test. The present study compared six methods, two of which utilize the content structure of items, to estimate total-test scores using 450 students in grades 3-5 and 60 items of the ll0-item Stanford Mental…

This study employed the procedure of item sampling to reduce the time expenditure of participants when responding to a questionnaire concerned with the implementation of an innovative elementary school project. (Author)

The net effect of the conditions under which tests are taken was empirically investigated using the scores obtained by high school students on an English and a mathematics test. (Author/BB)

A discussion of an efficient assignment plan for the domain-referenced testing program to govern how examinees encounter the items. (Author)

Research performed pursuant to a grant from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation.

It has been argued that item variance and test variance are not necessary characteristics for criterion-referenced tests, although they are necessary for norm-referenced tests. This position is in error because it considers sample statistics as the criteria for evaluating items and tests. Within a particular sample, an item or test may have no…

A procedure for sampling questions from a universe for repetition of criterion performances is described. Academic and administrative benefits are also noted. Available from: Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio 43022. (Author/LBH)

Research performed pursuant to a grant from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation.