Whether anchor item sets varying in difficulty and discrimination affect precision of cutting score equivalents generated through judge rescaling as much as equivalents from score equating was studied with 4 groups of experts and 250 and 1,000 examinees. Results indicate the robustness of judge rescaling and its superiority over equating. (SLD)

Reports on a recent vote of the faculty senate at the University of California at Santa Cruz to institute mandatory letter grades instead of continuing its innovative narrative evaluation system. Reasons include effects on student recruitment, graduate school admissions, and employer considerations. Notes strong opposition from students and…

Reviews and evaluates compensatory and conjunctive standard-setting strategies, presenting and discussing the rationales for each approach. Results of a comparison of the two approaches for a state high school certification writing test provide insight into the problem of choosing either strategy. (SLD)

It is difficult to estimate the percentage of examinees who pass National Teacher Evaluation (NTE) tests because many users of the tests require that examinees pass different combinations of tests or use different passing scores for each of the tests. This study first develops a taxonomy of state NTE requirements and then computes passing rates…

Findings of a study conducted at Iowa State University, Ames, indicated student subjects were not affected by the use of pass-fail grading, and that student teachers were less anxious and more positive about their relationship with their cooperating teachers under pass-fail than under A-F grading. (BP)

Standard setting practices in states using the NTE (formerly the National Teacher Examinations) were examined for 1987. The NTE is composed of two segments: (1) a Core Battery covering the communication skills and general knowledge skills; and (2) a test of professional knowledge about teaching. The processes used to establish passing scores for…

Evaluation indicated the majority of undergraduates favored the grading option and opposed grading in general. Those with vocational orientation preferred traditional letter grading, whereas those who were "identity-seekers" preferred the grading option. (Author)

In order to determine the extent to which Pass/Fail grading affects the learning process by altering student motivation, the author studied the grades of 61 Pass/Fail and 61 traditionally graded students who had enrolled in the "Introduction to Africa" course at York College (Pennsylvania) during the three semesters of 1973-74. All…

Several arguments are made for changing the present system of grading in college. The arguments deal with: (1) the negative effect of grading on the teaching situation--the system is capricious and variable and encourages "grade grubbing"; (2) the lack of accuracy and uniformity of grades; (3) the effect of grading, as an enforcer of the…

Discusses the use of numerical grades or a pass-fail system at the first-professional degree level in a health professions college, this paper provides the results and analysis of a student survey. Some 73 percent of student respondents felt that academic achievement was not affected by pass-fail. (LBH)

Performance in a second-year course in pedodontics/orthodontics for three classes at the State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine who received grades under an honors/pass/fail system was compared to that of three academically comparable classes that received letter grades. (Author/MLW)

A special workshop at Coppin State for students who succeed in the freshman remedial mathematics course but fail on the final test is described. The two-week review provides a relaxed atmosphere, a tutoring format encouraging more active participation, and a test-anxiety workshop. (MSE)

Reports the findings of an investigation into student teacher failure in final teaching practice in training institutions in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Few students who complete a course of training fail. Reasons for this finding are discussed. A reappraisal of the approach to the final assessment of teaching practice is suggested. (CT)

Although the pass-fail option proved to be popular with students, the faculty sample felt that it was being abused, and had somewhat negative attitudes toward the system. (AG)

The grading standards must be based on society's needs and the availability and ability of students to be trained to fill these needs. (IR)