Where human beings are concerned and complex behavior is involved, prediction of future performance is no simple matter. Scientifically developed, systematically standardized and carefully validated tests have emerged as the most reliable tools in predictive efficacy. If opponents of standardized testing win, society will lose. (Author/CM)

A comprehensive overview of the beginnings of attitude measurement is merged with a discussion of recent developments. A synthesis of new research on technical issues related to the reliability and validity of attitude measures and contemporary views on attitude formation and change are presented. (Author)

New as well as landmark instruments and research are described. Among the contemporary issues dealt with is a concern for the source of and methods useful in controlling bias in the construction of interest inventories. With the assessment of interests, as with all measurement, validity is the bottom line. (Author)

The nature of tests involved in the controversy on coaching is examined. Then coaching is considered against the background of diverse types of training that may affect test performance, and the implications of these various forms of training for the meaning and validity of test scores is discussed. (Author/BW)

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)

The test-item bias literature is summarized, emphasizing the conceptual basis for bias detection methods and the technical issues involved in choosing among methods. It describes both judgmental and statistical methods for identifying biased items, and discusses the reconciliation of these two types of evidence. (Author/BW)

The reliability and validity of chance-level scores should be investigated. Only a careful examination of such scores can suggest whether they are likely to reflect random responding or to represent a reasonable estimate of an examinee's ability. (Author/RL)

Students who meet with repeated failure at the beginning of a test are likely to lose motivation to continue to interact with each item. Therefore, it seems better to recommend testing out-of-level for those students scoring at or below the chance score mean. (RL)

Three important issues related to the testing debate, particularly in the context of college and professional school admissions, are reviewed and evaluated. (Author/AL)

Functional-level testing is fundamental to the evaluation models of the Elementary Secondary Education Act Title I Evaluation and Reporting System, although criteria for determining what is a functional-level test are unclear. Reliability and validity of test scores in the range of chance is at issue. (Author/RL)

Testing provides a major tool to assure the quality of education and access based on merit. In selection processes, the opposite of meritocracy is not equality but favoritism. Without adequate testing, society will have weaker assurance of an individual's performance capacity and productive contribution. (Author/CM)

The need for improved accountability has led to more competency-based testing. This provides test makers with the opportunity to have greater impact on the curriculum. Several strategies are suggested for measurement-based instructional improvement. (Author/PN)

In an attempt to reinforce the directive role of evidence in current arguments over test coaching, this chapter summarizes research findings from studies of coaching for the Scholastic Aptitude Test in the context of a conceptual analysis of the meaning and likely import of the coachability of such ability tests. (Author/BW)

Statistical bias in measurement and ethnic-group bias in testing are discussed, reviewing predictive and construct validity studies. Item bias is reconceptualized to include distance of item content from respondent's experience. Differing values of mean and standard deviation for bias parameter are analyzed in a simulation. References are…

Whether culturally biased tests are useful depends on what is meant by that phrase and the purpose for which the test is to be used. Keeping the distinction between aptitude and achievement in mind, different definitions of fair use of tests come from different sets of societal values. (Author/CM)