We use visualization to find patterns in educational data. We represent student scores from high-stakes exams as flow vectors in fluids, define two types of streamlines and trajectories, and show that differences between streamlines and trajectories are due to regression to the mean. This issue is significant because it determines how quickly…

"Scaling" is the process of constructing a score scale that associates numbers or other ordered indicators with the performance of examinees. Scaling typically is conducted to aid users in interpreting test results. This module describes different types of raw scores and scale scores, illustrates how to incorporate various sources of…

The reporting of scores on educational tests is at times misunderstood, misinterpreted, and potentially confusing to examinees and other stakeholders who may need to interpret test scores. In reporting test results to examinees, there is a need for clarity in the message communicated. As pressure rises for students to demonstrate performance at a…

This research project investigated the effect of kindergarten time schedule on the reading achievement of an intact sample (n = 156), and three stratified sub-samples of high-risk (n = 53), mid-risk (n = 59), and low-risk learners (n = 44). Students entering kindergarten at five Reading First schools in September 2004 (n = 435) were randomly…

Attempts to determine the ability of the Mini-Mult validity scales to detect invalid MMPI profiles in an adult psychiatric population. (Author/DEP)

A program listing, source deck, sample problem and documentation are available at cost from the author at the University of Missouri, Department of Educational Psychology, Columbia, Missouri 65201. (Author/CB)

The simplicity of standard score systems, percentile equivalents, and their relation to the ideal normal distribution are discussed and illustrated. Standard scores are z-scores, the T-scores, College Entrance Examination Board scores, and Army General Classification Test scores. A derivative of the general standard score system is the stanine…

Contrary to popular belief, and in accordance with research over a long period of time, changed answers to objective test items tend to be correct. (MJB)

Three virtues of standardized achievement tests which have enhanced their usefulness are discussed, and three fallacies, all the result of overenthusiasm, that have encouraged the misuse of test scores are examined.

The normal curve has long been important in statistics. Most interval variables yield normal or quasi-normal distributions when data are collected from large samples, and the normal "Z" distribution is also used as a test statistic (e.g., to test differences between two means when sample size is large, since "t" approaches…

This report contains the results from the first administration of the fourth and sixth grade science and social studies portions of the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP). As such, they are an important part of the state's efforts to educate all students to a higher level. Science and social studies data for grades 4 and 6 are summarized…

Traditional test scoring does not allow the examination of differences among subjects obtaining identical raw scores on the same test. A configuration scoring paradigm for identical raw scores, which provides for such comparisons, is developed and illustrated. (Author)

A summary of the results of the Metropolitan Upper Primary Reading Test, Form B, which was administered to third grade pupils in Vancouver, is presented. Included are tables of local norms and comparisons of the results of earlier surveys. Because of the large number of perfect scores, it was concluded that the tests were too easy for many pupils.…

This report contains summaries of the results from the third administration of the fourth and sixth grade science and social studies portions of the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP). These results are part of a long-term effort to gather data on the educational progress of Delaware students and to use the data to inform decisions about…

The interpretation of test profiles, graphic devices which indicate the overall performance of an individual or group of individuals, is discussed. Some uses of profiles are presented, together with a three step profile analysis procedure for interpreting test results. Because profiles are relatively simple to construct and appear to be easily…