Adopting a comparative perspective to address educational issues in different contexts was a hallmark of Jullien's work in the early-nineteenth century. Different emphases and approaches to comparative education methodology have emerged in recent times thanks to major developments in technology, but have these changes rendered Jullien's ideas…

Developing and writing assessment items that measure teachers' knowledge is an intricate and complex undertaking. In this paper, we begin with an overview of what is known about measuring teacher knowledge. We then highlight the challenges inherent in creating assessment items that focus specifically on measuring teachers' specialised knowledge…

The Academic Performance Index (API) is the centerpiece of California's state assessment and accountability system. With the recent passage of SB1458 and the pending reauthorization of both state and federal accountability legislation, there is now an unprecedented opportunity to improve the API for next generation accountability in California. In…

While measurement precision is relatively easy to establish for single tests and assessments, it is much more difficult to determine for decision making with multiple tests on different subjects. This latter is the situation in the system of final examinations for secondary education in the Netherlands and is used as an example in this paper. This…

THE RELEVANCE OF INTELLIGENCE TESTS FOR EDUCATIONAL USES IS CHALLENGED ON TWO GROUNDS--(1) TESTS WHICH MERELY PREDICT THE LIKELIHOOD OF FUTURE SUCCESS DO NOT PROVIDE USEFUL INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO PRESCRIBE TREATMENTS TO ENHANCE PERFORMANCE, AND (2) INTELLIGENCE IS NOT DEFINED AND HENCE THE INTERPRETATION OF SCORES IS MISLEADING. IT IS…

A project designed to determine the relevance of existing standardized achievement tests to the goals of individualized instruction is among the ongoing research activities of Project PLAN, a computer-supported individualized education program. Standardized achievement tests (including the Metropolitan Readiness Test, the Scholastic Aptitude…

The author points out the technical shortcomings inherent in traditional examinations designed to sort students and outlines more useful testing alternatives. He feels that, unfortunately, the Assessment of Performance Unit will opt for the traditional style of testing, in the name of "maintaining standards." (SJL)

The author critiques the objective measurement movement, particularly the Rasch model, as misguided and overly simplistic. (SJL)

Notes that I.Q. tests measure certain specific structures of "modern consciousness". (Author/AM)

Explores the introduction of grade criteria into the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) examination as an effort to make clearer the competency and knowledge levels expected of examination candidates in Great Britain. Concludes by exploring problems with this concept and by calling for further clarification of the purpose for this…

The term, standardized achievement test, has evolved to imply a broad package of materials which includes a wide array of norms, lists of scoring services and educational objectives tested, and aids to interpretation. Test authors are convinced that that individual differences in achievement do exist; that recognition of these differences will…

The authors argue that the usefulness and legitimacy of measuring student growth depend upon the purpose for which the scores will be used. They conclude there are many situations in education in which measurement of student growth is possible, justifiable, and informative. (Author)

Notes that the same students who according to a reading test, were severly deficient in reading skills were mysteriously able to complete a complex research questionnaire, and showed academic success far beyond what the test predicted. (Author/AM)

This reply to William A. Mehrens argues that although some psychometricians are reluctant to endorse the use of test data for educational decision making, it is desirable that measurement specialists provide decision makers with practical, understandable ways to use test data. (JAZ)

In an attempt to restore the symmetry and balance between the study of person and item variation, this paper presents a novel methodology construct specification equations, which allows one to ascertain from the lawful behavior of items what an instrument is measuring. (Author/PN)