Education statistics are rarely neutral; those who collect and analyze them have different purposes. In this article, Bracey discusses several principles of data interpretation to help educators avoid falling into statistical traps. For example, because such reports as A Nation At Risk contain many "selected, spun, distorted, and even manufactured…

The final volume of The Study of Junior Colleges contains the measurements and instrumentation derived from the project for future evaluation surveys. Part One, Prediction of Student Outcomes: Multivariate Analysis of the Survey Data, provides: an introduction to the analyses; data reduction, factors, and scales; students' objectives and…

THE YOUTH OPINION QUESTIONNAIRE WAS DEVELOPED TO DETERMINE THE ATTITUDES, NEEDS, EXPECTATIONS, BELIEFS, AND PERCEPTIONS OF THRESHOLD WORKERS WITH REGARD TO THE WORLD OF WORK, THE DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THEM, AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO ENTRY WORK EXPERIENCE. AN INITIAL POOL OF APPROXIMATELY 600 ITEMS WAS COMPILED FROM…

Empirical evidence is presented related to the effects of using a stratified sampling of items in multiple matrix sampling on the accuracy of estimates of the population mean. Data were obtained from a sample of 600 high school students for a 36-item mathematics test and a 40-item vocabulary test, both subtests of the Iowa Tests of Educational…

Focusing on the measurement of outcomes rather than on module materials specifically, test items were constructed to evaluate the Career Education Modules for grades 7-12 developed by the Missouri Career Education Project. First, the stated learning objectives of the modules were converted into outcome objectives. Next, the relevant vocabulary,…

An experimental study examined the possibility that proximity error could bias results from semantic differential questionnaires. Proximity error occurs when, due to the ordering, or polarity, of the differential scales, one answer on the semantic differential results in another answer to a subsequent question being substantially changed from what…

The study reports the results of a survey of 2,292 13-year olds and 2,173 17-year olds, in Connecticut, using a criterion-referenced assessment instrument designed to test 15 content domains (job satisfaction; occupational levels, fields, and emphasis; occupational trends; occupational levels and education; leisure time; job…

Goodness of fit of raw test score data were compared, using two latent trait models: the Rasch model and the Birnbaum three-parameter logistic model. Data were taken from various achievement tests and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (Verbal). A minimum sample size of 1,000 was required, and the minimum test length was 40 items. Results indicated that…

The Auditory Automotive Mechanics Diagnostic Achievement Test assesses an automobile mechanic's ability to determine mechanical faults from auditory cues alone. The 44-item test and its instructions are recorded on magnetic tape; answer choices are presented on tape, and are also written in the printed test booklets. The norming and validity…