Many college teachers are opposed to true-false tests because they feel that such tests do not reflect the extent and depth of a student's knowledge and understanding of his subject. However, true-false tests, properly constructed, can be extremely valuable instruments in measuring academic achievement. (CK)

One major reason for the problems of test validation is an overemphasis on the need for empirical validity data, and a failure to recognize the primary importance of explicit verbal definitions of what the test is intended to measure and rational arguments in support of the means chosen for obtaining the measurement. (Author/LC)

More precise conception of the functions and limitations of prediction, validation, construct validity, and criterion referenced tests will not solve the problems which must be faced in using tests. It will not repel many of the current attacks on testing. But it should enable test specialists to think more clearly about some of those problems.…

Reasonable and practical solutions to two major problems confronting the developer of any test of educational achievement (what to measure and how to measure it) are proposed, defended, and defined. (Author/PN)

The discussion on criterion-referenced (CRT) and norm-referenced achievement tests (NRT) is divided into two parts: definitions and use. The authors contrast CRTs, tests which compare an individual's performance to some specified behavioral criterion of proficiency, and NRTs, tests which compare an individual's score to scores of others. They also…

True-false achievement test items written by typical classroom teachers show about two-thirds of the discrimination of their multiple-choice test items. This is about what should be expected in view of the higher probability of chance success on the true-false items. However, at least half again as many true-false items as multiple-choice items…

The views of E. L. Thorndike on the future of measurements of abilities, expressed 25 years ago, are summarized, and the future of measurements of abilities as it appears now is examined. Opportunities for improvement now arise mainly from increasing social concern for effective education. Measurement technology has developed rapidly and cannot…

Revised version of the 1973 presidential address to the American Educational Research Association. (RJ)

Surveys the needs for effective teachers and discusses how tests meet those needs, arguing that differences in test achievement attained by minority applicants need not be attributed to genetic differences, nor should differences in test achievement necessarily be attributed to bias in the tests. (JM)

A study designed to compare the reliabilities of multiple choice and true-false tests that were constructed to measure the same objectives was conducted. The impetus for this study came from the research reported by Ebel (1971) on the same topic. Subjects were selected from six public high schools. Three phases of testing were required for…

Examines six areas of controversy surrounding testing--test validity, the role of affective objectives, criterion-referenced tests, test bias, IQ tests, and the effect of competition. (IRT)

This issue of Measurement in Education is presented in the form of a dialogue between Dr. Robert L. Ebel, Distinguished Professor of Educational Measurement at Michigan State University, and Dr. Samual A. Livingston, Program Research Scientist at the Educational Testing Service. Alternative views on some aspects of the use of tests in assessing…

There is currently a conflict between educational accountability and the distrust of standardized testing. Concern for the quality of education is based on evidence of students' academic dificiencies, the decline in test scores, and increasing education costs and school taxes. As a result of criticism, states have mandated, or are considering,…