One of the most important findings to emerge from recent reading comprehension research is that there are large differences between tests in what they assess--specifically, the extent to which performance depends on word recognition versus listening comprehension skills. Because this research used ordinary least squares regression, it is not clear…

Variation in test performance among examinees from different regions or national jurisdictions is often partially attributed to differences in the degree of content correspondence between local school or training program curricula, and the test of interest. This posited relationship between test-curriculum correspondence, or "alignment,"…

Universal screening in elementary schools often includes administering curriculum-based measurement in reading (CBM-R); but in first grade, nonsense word fluency (NWF) and, to a lesser extent, word identification fluency (WIF) are used because of concerns that CBM-R is too difficult for emerging readers. This study used Kane's argument-based…

Test developers are responsible to define how test scores should be interpreted and used. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) directed the Secretary of Education to use results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to confirm the proficiency scores from state developed tests. There are two sets of federal definitions…

Correlates that describe in part the variation of conditions under which learning is attempted are discussed. Each of these correlates is significantly related to student achievement. Categories into which the correlates are grouped are: Socioeconomic Status Variables (mother's occupation, father's occupation, mother's educational level, father's…

Rasch model vertical equating procedures were applied to three mathematics computation tests for grades six, seven, and eight. Each level of the test was composed of 45 items in three sets of 15 items, arranged in such a way that tests for adjacent grades had two sets (30 items) in common, and the sixth and eighth grades had 15 items in common. In…

Median test scores on the Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS) for many District of Columbia public schools declined substantially in 1990, although this decline was not evident in reports from school officials. These declines occurred at elementary, junior high, and senior high school levels, in grades 6, 9, and 11, respectively. They also…

This report analyzes possible causes of current trends in educational achievement and discusses implications for policy. It uses data described in the publication "Trends in Educational Achievement," a Congressional Budget Office study released in April 1986, which assessed data about trends in test scores. This report begins with a…

Achievement tests which are specifically linked to an instructional program and have been developed in relation to an objectives base and/or to an item generation rule are considered, as well as student response data. Three types of studies are outlined and the kind of procedures thought useful illustrated. As various methods for examining…

This report describes the development of the 1969-70 Michigan Educational Assessment measures used in assessing the levels and distribution of educational performance for Michigan's districts, schools, and pupils. The report has four sections. The first section contains a brief description of the 1969-70 assessment program, including a statement…

A simplex model is presented for the analysis of longitudinal academic growth variables in which only one measure is obtained at each time. When this model fits the observed data, then reliabilities and unattenuated correlations can be estimated except for the first and last periods. (Author)

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…

Expanded version of a lecture given at a meeting of the Teachers of Modern Languages in Colleges of Education (Tagung der Fachdidaktiker fur neuere Sprachen an den Padagogischen Hochschulen), October 1, 1970 in Luneburg, West Germany. (RS)

A standardized achievement testing program was begun in Alum Rock, California in the fall of 1972 as part of an evaluation of an Educational Voucher Demonstration. During each of the first three years of the demonstration both the form of test administration and the particular level of the standardized achievement test that a student is assigned…

Since all commonly used latent trait models assume a unidimensional test, the applicability of the procedure to obviously multidimensional tests is questionable. This paper presents the results of the application of latent trait, traditional, and factor analyses to a series of actual and hypothetical tests that vary in factoral complexity.…