The proposed activities of the Office of Research and Evaluation of the Austin (Texas) Independent School District in 1990-91 are outlined. Evaluations and other major projects focus on: (1) externally funded projects; (2) systemwide achievement testing; and (3) systemwide evaluation. Twelve evaluations will assess the impact of programs and…

This paper discusses the relationship of the content of nationally standardized and normed achievement tests and that of local school curricula and the effect that relationship has on the meanings and uses of the test scores. The following questions are considered: (1) whether tests have to match what is taught to be useful; (2) whether it is fair…

New developments in testing in the United Kingdom (UK) since 1965 are described. Standardized testing at the local level declined dramatically with the widespread introduction of comprehensive secondary education. However, in the late 1970's widespread local testing programs were re-introduced for the purposes of monitoring student progress,…

Three supplements to the main report (December 1987) of the Task Group on Assessment and Testing in the United Kingdom are presented. The first report, "Reactions to the Main Report," examines the chief issues raised in public reaction to the main report. The national reaction has been largely positive and supportive. It is reaffirmed…

The paper reviews previous research studies and conferences which have dealt with the question of whether large-scale testing programs are effective. It is concluded that such programs, defined as efforts to determine the status of student achievement on a school, district, state, or national basis, are not serving the informational needs of the…

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) assessed three grade levels and 21-year-olds in the 1960's, at an annual cost of $6 million. By the early 1980's, adults were no longer tested and funds had decreased to $3.8 million. Other governmental departments, however, have also been funded for testing and a number of state testing…

Since 1989, the Texas Education Agency has reported selected results from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the American College Testing (ACT) Program's original and Enhanced ACT Assessment for prior year graduating seniors. This fourth annual report presents data for the 1990-91 graduating class. Score data from these examinations are…