Students were observed directly, in a usability laboratory, and indirectly, by means of an extensive evaluation of responses, as they attempted interactive computer-marked assessment questions that required free-text responses of up to 20 words and as they amended their responses after receiving feedback. This provided more general insight into…

Objective procedures for converting test data into counseling information are discussed and illustrated, with special attention being given to similarity scores and similarity score profiles. Local validity studies are needed to support data-information conversion procedures. Computer-based systems are also valuable. (Author)

In keeping with the theme of the International Language Testing Association/Language Testing Research Colloquium Conference in 2008, "Focusing on the Core: Justifying the Use of Language Assessments to Stakeholders," I define "stakeholder-friendly tests," "defensible testing," and "testing-context analysis."…

This is a report from the Project on Individually Guided Mathematics, Phase 2 Analysis of Mathematics Instruction. The report outlines some of the characteristics of probability measurement procedures for scoring objective tests, discusses hypothesized advantages and disadvantages of the methods, and reports the results of three experiments…

Statewide testing can serve four important functions: can illustrate superior results of a group of schools where no one would expect it and raise questions about how they accomplished it; statewide testing deals with the generally lower scores of disadvantaged minorities, it can put the differences in perspective by showing comparable differences…

The construction of test items, the purposes of testing and criterion-referenced testing are topics debated by two researchers. (CP)

Considered is the improvement of criterion-referenced measurement as applied to individual and group assessment of handicapped and normal children. (DB)

The paper briefly describes assessment practices in terms of their theoretical principles. The practices include: (a) the client is an informed participant even during the assessment process; (b) the referral is situated in terms of actual events; (c) life events are primary data, and test scores are secondary or derived data; (d) interpretation…

The American College Testing Program (ACT) was founded as an inviolate public trust, and operates as a nonprofit corporation governed by educational representatives from individual states or regions and a Board of Trustees. A fundamental goal of the program is to exercise educational leadership by conducting testing, information-gathering,…

This paper discusses the use of the Internet to enhance test selection, orientation, administration, and scoring. It begins with a review of potential Internet applications in these test areas. Also addressed are difficulties that may be encountered by counselors who use the Internet for testing and issues associated with using the Internet to…