A strength of this exploration of testing and test use in the United States is the concern for how tests affect student conceptions of learning and student relation to knowledge. A weakness is a persistent confounding of classroom and large-scale assessment for state and national purposes. (SLD)

"Assessing Student Performance" sets forth arguments for looking at testing and assessment. The exploration is more about morality and epistemology than about technology and politics. A principal assumption is that mainstream assessment and testing philosophy is flawed. (SLD)

The comprehensive testing program used by the New York City Board of Examiners to develop tests for licensure of teachers is compared with national approaches to licensing. The first step in developing a licensing examination in New York is thorough job analysis leading to the preparation of task statements. These are used to develop lists of…

The unit provides an introduction to employment service testing for supervisors, interviewers, and employer relations personnel who need a basic knowledge of testing but who do not need to be test technicians. It may also be used as an introductory course for test examiners and counselors. The first part of the guide is an orientation to…

Administering a large scale licensing examination program presents both technical and non-technical challenges. Five major areas are discussed in this paper: (1) ensuring test validity in relation to occupational entry standards; (2) developing test items from valid examination specifications; (3) establishing legally defensible passing scores;…

Article attempts to show that the relationship between testing and the rest of the training function is a dynamic one. (Author/MM)

General and specific information is offered on integrating community policing and other management philosophies into an organization's selection and promotional testing systems. The concept of community policing is not necessarily a new one for many police organizations, but integrating it fully requires bringing internal support structures into…

This report describes the sequence of activities that took place as the Examination Division of the New Jersey Department of Civil Service introduced a word processing system for a test item bank and for production of camera-ready test copy. The equipment selection, installation and orientation procedures are discussed. Keyboard and CRT terminals,…

This paper describes a testing program that established job-related standards of performance and testing procedures for the technician position within a gas transportation company. New standards were being established in response to safety concerns stemming from investigations that identified training inadequacy as a cause of accidents. The job…

The United States Employment Service (USES), in cooperation with State employment services, has conducted a continuing program of occupational test research and development since the mid-1930's. This program has produced a variety of tests and assessment techniques useful in vocational counseling and in selection of individuals for specific jobs.…

This report documents the work of the first national effort to design tests for the evaluation of the occupational competency of trade and industrial/technical teachers in 24 major occupational areas. Participating in the project were 717 specialists from industry, education, government, the military, and testing organizations. Tests were…

A series of studies of the experience of employers with schools and their graduates in the 1980s has established that employers want employees with cognitive and subject matter skills, but with other skills as well. These skills are summarized, and the development of an Employment Readiness Profile is proposed, which would be an assessment…

A project continued activity to improve the occupational competency assessment program for evaluating and certifying vocational education teachers. Development of new testing was continued by Temple University, The Pennsylvania State University, and University of Pittsburgh. Workshops for test developers were conducted to ensure standardization of…

A summary, prepared from notes and tape recordings, is presented of the 1979 conference of the National Consortium on Testing. Panel descussions on the following topics are included: (1) introduction; (2) update--recent and upcoming events concerning testing; (3) test preparation and coaching; (4) minimum competency testing; (5) program evaluation…

The Functional Academic Skills Tests (FAST) was developed to measure the basic skills of mathematics, reading, and writing in teachers employed by the Houston, Texas, Independent School District. The three content domains were drawn from the Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST). These sets of skills, or proficiencies, were amplified by supporting…