This study examined how science teachers' knowledge of research methods, neuroscience and drug addiction changed through their participation in a 5-day summer science institute. The data for this study evolved from a four-year NIH funded science education project called Addiction Research and Investigation for Science Educators (ARISE). Findings…

Concentrates on three questions: Who are the current critics of standardized testing? What are their persistent criticisms and concerns? Which of these criticisms appear to be valid, which have some validity, and which appear to be irrational? (Author/IRT)

One of a series dealing with reading, mathematics, language arts, social studies, science, cultural arts, health, and physical education, this report on reading is designed to help North Carolina teachers in planning instructional programs for public school students and to inform the general public of students' educational needs and attainments.…

One of a series dealing with reading, mathematics, language arts, social studies, science, cultural arts, health, and physical education, this report on language arts is designed to help North Carolina teachers in planning instructional programs for public school students and to inform the general public of students' educational needs and…

Six methods of scoring multiple true-false items were compared in terms of reliabilities, difficulties, and discrimination. Results suggest that, for norm-referenced score interpretations, there is insufficient evidence to support any one of the methods as superior. For criterion-referenced score interpretations, effects of scoring method must be…

Reviews techniques of evaluation in mathematics and discusses three testing issues and their implications: objective and subjective methods, behavioral objectives in test construction, norm-referenced and criterion-referenced measures. Recommendations on testing practices are also summarized. (HM)

This bulletin discusses current issues and practices in social studies assessment, ways to improve testing, and methodologies to strengthen the validity, reliability, and value of tests. The primary purpose of the bulletin is to bring the social studies profession up to date about the issues and strategies involving criterion-referenced testing.…

Instructional improvement within the context of criterion-referenced and norm-referenced tests is described. Such categories overemphasize test interpretation rather than design characteristics of achievement tests. Data from most measurement situations may be reported or interpreted either according to criterion- or norm-referenced standards. How…

The "Principles and Indicators for Student Assessment Systems" of the National Forum on Assessment, 1995, proposes a view of testing and assessment in elementary and secondary education that challenges the basic concepts and practices underlying the "Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing" of the American…

Three distinctions are usually made between norm- and criterion-referenced measures. They are: (1) their measurement forms, that is, student performance in relation to the performance of other students or with respect to some specific criterion; (2) general or specific kinds of objectives in which the measures are founded; and (3) their modes of…

Eligibility criteria for student placement in specially designed physical education classes in California include: (1) significantly reduced performance level because of a physical disability verified by a licensed physician; (2) significantly reduced performance level in motor skills and/or physical fitness as determined by performance below age…

This paper summarizes some of the issues involved in educational testing. First, it describes four of the fundamental characteristics of tests: whether they are measures of aptitude or achievement, whether they require students to produce or just recognize the best answer, whether they are interpreted in relationship to the scores of other…

The author takes the position that standardized tests, as presently developed and marketed, do have potentially positive uses. However, these advantages are outweighed by the tests' deleterious effects on children and programs. Standardized tests refer to published, norm referenced, achievement and intelligence tests which contain specific…

In a discussion of the value of standardized tests and their implications for effective teaching, the author contends that such tests are useful in keeping those concerned with the learning process focused on the main target. In addition, standardized tests serve to (1) reveal variations in the effectiveness of different instructional procedures…

This handbook describes the nature, uses, and limitations of the Modern Language Association of America (MLA) language proficiency tests for teachers and advanced students. The proficiency tests are examined in seven areas of language teaching competence: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, writing, applied linguistics, civilization and…