There is evidence that pre-tests can have orienting and motivational and teaching functions - in addition to the sought-for testing function. There is also evidence that these additional functions can be either general or specific. The present paper contributes to the ongoing debate by discussing the issues involved in the context of a series of…

RESEARCH WAS UNDERTAKEN BY THE UNITED STATES EMPLOYMENT SERVICE TO INVESTIGATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EFFECTS OF PRACTICE ON TEST TAKING AND THE LENGTH OF TIME BETWEEN INITIAL TESTING (PRACTICE) AND RETESTING (SEE ALSO VT 003 819). THE DESIGN INVOLVED TESTING A SAMPLE OF STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCY EMPLOYEES WITH THE GENERAL APTITUDE…

The biasing effects of a pretest on subsequent post-test results were investigated in two experimental studies. In general, the results argue for using designs without pretests. (Author/JKS)

FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTS OF THE MODERN LANGUAGE ASSOCATION WERE USED TO DETERMINE THE DEGREE OF IMPROVEMENT ACHIEVED BY 2,300 FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHERS WHO RECEIVED ADVANCED TRAINING IN THE 1966 NDEA SUMMER FOREIGN LANGUAGE INSTITUTES. TEACHERS OF FRENCH, GERMAN, ITALIAN, RUSSIAN, AND SPANISH IN 52 INSTITUTES WERE TESTED AT THE BEGINNING…

A sizable representative subsample of the standardization group for the Metropolitan Achievement Tests participated in both the Fall and Spring standardization programs. Fall and Spring test records were matched for all such pupils and Fall-Spring "growth expectancies" were derived. Additionally, the sample was split into three subgroups…

A study was conducted to determine if the observed changes in Head Start children were related to the practice effects inherent in a test-retest situation. The "control" group consisted of 64 children who had been eligible for a Head Start program. They roughly matched a group of Head Start (HS) children in IQ scores, age, and…

A computer-based test administration and monitoring system developed at the University of Delaware is described. Using six terminals connected to a Burroughs B-6700 computer, the system provides numerous capabilities for interactive testing and evaluation of students' course learning, while also providing statistical data to faculty in a variety…

A computer simulation procedure was developed to reproduce the overall pattern of results obtained in the Educational Testing Service Growth Study. Then simulated data for seven sets of 10,000 to 15,000 cases were analyzed, and findings compared on the basis of correlations between estimated and true growth scores. Findings showed that growth was…

It is unsafe to estimate achievement test norms for fall testing by linear interpolation between norms for the previous spring testing and norms for the following spring. Second grade students were tested in reading and arithmetic in the fall and in the spring to provide pre-test and post-test data for evaluation of academic growth. Three…

Twelve common errors which can invalidate an otherwise sound evaluation are identified, and ways to avoid them are presented. The hazards are: (1) grade-equivalent scores; (2) inappropriate statistical adjustments with nonequivalent control groups; (3) administering norm-referenced tests at inappropriate times of the school year; (4) inappropriate…

Content validity involves a judgment that all knowledges, skills, abilities, and other worker characteristics (KSAOs) needed for successful job performance (or a specified portion, the job content domain), have been adequately sampled by the tests used for employee selection and promotion decision making. The model outlines the procedure for…

The Head Start Measures Project was a 3-year study to develop a set of measures designed specifically for Head Start children. The measures are based on a path-referenced approach to assessment, in which children's performance is described in terms of their position along paths of development. A path is defined as a sequence of skills within a…

A replicable process for improving instruction through the consistent use of student data collected before, during, and after instruction is proposed. A rational analysis of different types of error rates (theoretical, base, posttest, instructional) and discrimination indices (base, posttest) leads to a set of rules for identifying test items and…

Diagnostic instruments of the Individually Prescribed Instruction (IPI) Program measure pupil achievement in the IPI learning continuum. The IPI system employs the instructional unit to define progress in mathematics, reading and science. At the start of a school year, placement tests are administered to start the pupil in appropriate learning…