Measurement terms used in Title I evaluation are contained in this glossary. Several types of measurement techniques are identified and defined. Other measurement terms which are defined include those relating to validity, reliability, statistical analysis, test interpretation, and program effectiveness. (DWH)

The testing sub-program is designed to provide the diagnostic instruments necessary to measure pupil progress through the Individually Prescribed Instruction (IPI) curricula. Its objectives are to provide information about pupils which teachers can use to direct each child's individual learning program, to provide the measurements necessary for…

A study by Rothkopf is frequently cited as showing that educational experts are poor judges of the actual effectiveness of instructional materials. The study is replicated and comments from Ss are used to show that half-trained student experts tend to judge simple materials as more effective than complex materials. (Author)

Argues that even for purposes of applied decision making, reliance upon criterion validity -- the degree to which measures correlate with specific criteria -- or content coverage is not enough, that the meaning of the measure must also be analyzed in order to evaluate responsibly the possible consequences of the proposed use, it is stated.…

This document traces the development of the testing and reporting system used in the Elkhart Community Schools (ECS), Indiana, from 1981 through 1985. Performance objectives were established when the program was initiated. Analyses of standardized test results were provided for teachers, principals, and central administrative staff. All school…

The Normal Curve Equivalent (NCE) gain statistic is examined, and considerations for its interpretation are highlighted. The NCE gain is made up of an observed and an expected part. The observed score is the posttest result. The expected score can never be observed nor verified for any of the Title I Evaluation and Reporting System (TIERS) models;…

Instructional and program relevance of measures of student performance and use of standardized achievement tests, as measures of the quality of a student's educational experiences, are discussed. This focus is consonant with current emphasis on linking testing and instruction and on systemic efforts at program and instructional improvement.…

Technical considerations associated with item selection and reliability assessment are considered in relation to criterion-referenced tests constructed to provide group information. The purpose is to emphasize test building and the evaluation of test scores in program evaluation studies. It is stressed that an evaluator employ a performance or…

A brief discussion of the concept of validity, a description of the nature and purposes of the Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITED), and a rationale for the inclusion of ITED results as part of the overall program evaluation of a secondary school are presented. According to the authors, the ITED can validly be used as one of the…

The feasibility of using criterion referenced tests (CRTs) in a large-scale evaluation conducted in an effectiveness evaluation context was investigated. The study began by examining the theory that structures the development and validation of CRTs to discover whether, on theoretical grounds alone, CRTs are suitable or not suitable for large-scale…

Discusses the University of Tennessee's externally mandated undergraduate exams in public relations and news-editorial skills. Analyzes (1) whether the exams are valid measures of qualities in students that faculty believe are important; (2) what factors are related to scores; and (3) whether these factors are related to specific courses in the…

This book examines approaches to the evaluation of students' critical thinking on programmatic, school-based, and classroom levels. The first chapter examines the nature of critical thinking and offers a definition as well as an appraisal of the definition. The second chapter looks at methods of gathering quality information on students' critical…

Surveys used for program and institutional evaluation, such as self-studies conducted for accreditation review, are discussed. Frequently, these evaluations take the form of faculty surveys and student surveys. This paper explores the following general considerations associated with mail surveys and other surveys: avoidance of response bias;…

In this paper, the author reviews a number of criticisms that have been made of the use of standardized tests in the social studies and reviews 11 general, skills, and discipline-oriented standardized tests for social studies. Standardized tests evaluating the results of the new social studies courses are open to criticism on the basis of…

The testing program of the Royal Oak (Michigan) School District was examined and evaluated under agreement of the Royal Oak Teachers Association and the Administration of the Royal Oak School District. A committee was formed of people knowledgeable of the program and/or specialists in evaluation and testing. This study represents two days of…