In this speculative article, Robert R. Rentz predicts that state educational assessment programs will continue to be fertile ground for measurement innovations, both technological and otherwise, in the areas of test content, development, administration and the reporting of test results. (AEF)

Criterion-referencing is a way to enhance the interpretation of test scores by referencing them to well-defined behavior domains. Behavior domains may be ordered or unordered; several varieties of criterion-referenced tests within each of these types are discussed. (Author/RL)

Latent trait models provide a new scale for reporting educational and psychological measurements. Characteristics, interpretations, and uses of these scales are considered. (Author/RL)

Guidance counselors are responsible for helping teachers, students, and parents understand as much as possible about the school's testing program and each student's performance. The purposes and uses of tests are important in the context of the student's future. (Author/CM)

With psychometric tests (that is, norm-referenced tests), nearly all scores fall into one of three categories: those based on comparison with an absolute standard; those based on inter-individual comparison; or those based on intra-individual comparison. These are described and all commonly used metrics are discussed. (Author/RL)

Many teachers are hesitant to use test results because they do not believe they have sufficient training in measurement. Inappropriate test use is a threat, but teachers like tests if the tests are compatible with classroom instruction and results are not used to the exclusion of other types of information. (Author/CM)

This chapter discusses units of measurement, relates types of scales and norms to the purpose for testing, looks at types of test data typically reported, identifies the primary users of test information, looks at limitations of scales and norms, and looks at the interaction between user and data. (Author/RL)

Tests are used in hopes that disclosure of accomplishments will be made, but teachers sometimes feel they are being penalized for giving consideration to the whole child's development instead of concentrating on drill that would result in higher test scores. Standardized tests cause apprehension about control of student placement and instruction.…

California Assessment Program's application of matrix sampling and item response curve theory to the scaling and reporting of state assessment data is described. It is designed to express educational outcomes in an efficient and interpretable form that is both immediately informative and suited to analysis over extended periods of time.…