Chemical engineering students were required to create an open-book final examination and to include questions reflecting analytical, synthetic (creative), and evaluative skills. Rationale for the assignment, sample student responses, and how the technique might be profitably adapted to any course on any subject are discussed. (JN)

A learning disability index (LDI) for the assessment of intellectual deficits on the K-ABC is described. The population parameters of this index allows for assessment of the abnormality of the LDI in the individual case, as well as for evaluation of statistical significance of any change in the LDI from test to retest. (Author/CL)

Three methods of student enrollment forecasting and the reports of tests of their reliability are described. In forecasting enrollment, school officials should use a variety of methods. (MD)

Five of 10 paraprofessionals completing training in the administration and scoring of tests to identify dyslexia and hyperkinesis were judged extremely proficient as psychoeducational technicians. Such training appeared feasible, cost effective, and helpful in allowing professionals more time for diagnosis, counseling, and prescribing appropriate…

Provides information on how staff members at the Study Skills Lab at the University of Texas at El Paso selected the Kolb Learning Style Inventory (KLSI) and administered it to students in the lab; how students react to the KLSI; and how results are interpreted. (DMM)

Helping students prepare for the annual achievement test is the focus. The structure of the test and how test makers anticipate wrong answers is explored with students. (MNS)

Methods for evaluating divergent thinking are presented and discussed. These include Shavelson's word lists and unique diagrams and Buzan's brain pattern. Each technique, which can be used in examinations, provides a partial representation of how subject matter is stored and highlights the flexible yet structured way the mind organizes…

Discusses the British N and F system of university entrance examinations, especially in science. (MLH)

This position paper is written to outline recommendations for a quality science curriculum for schools. Among the recommendations made are that the science curriculum needs to stress excellence; that inquiry approaches are important in helping students to become curious learners who identify problems; that observing natural phenomena in the…

How early is too early? As testing has grown more widespread in recent decades, important issues have arisen concerning how to ensure that early childhood testing is used appropriately and with positive educational benefits. Actually, this kind of testing has been happening for a long time. Testing young children became a frequent practice when…

The present paper discusses criticisms of statistical significance testing from both historical and contemporary perspectives. Statistical significance testing is greatly influenced by sample size and often results in meaningless information being over-reported. Variance-accounted-for-effect sizes are presented as an alternative to statistical…

Describing the types and uses of tests may seem to be an easy task, but it is not as straightforward as it may first appear. Tests vary on many different characteristics, are used in many different ways, cross the typical assessment categories, and in some cases are so unique as to from a category unto themselves. This chapter explores many…

One role of counselors and educators is to use assessment in the service of students and clients. Under the right conditions and with proper use, using technology to foster assessment is a great way to go. This chapter focuses on the use of technology as a tool for testing and assessment. It emphasizes that to make proper use of technology tools,…

Psychologist Andrea diSessa coined the term "phenomenological primitives", or p-prims, to talk about nonexperts' reasoning about physical situations. P-prims are primitive in the sense that they stand without significant explanatory substructure or explanation. Examples are "Heavy objects fall faster than light objects" and "Continuing force is…

According to this study using both physiological and word recognition error criteria to ascertain students' reading frustration level, repetitions should be counted as errors to obtain authentic reading level scores on informal reading inventories. (TO)