Presents a qualitative study that was conducted to investigate the mathematics preparation experiences of three African-American students involved in a high-stakes test situation. Highlights consideration for the implementation of critical elements that determine the success of high-stakes tests in urban settings. (Contains 32 references.) (ASK)

Examines the relationship between lexical and grammatical knowledge to reading and listening comprehension. University students learning Spanish participated in the study. All participants performed the tests of lexical knowledge and grammatical knowledge respectively. Results suggest both similarities and differences between reading and listening…

Three studies were carried out that tested sign theory, which predicts that nonverbal abilities should correlate positively with primary language abilities. The first examined the possible effects of bilingualism on cognitive ability; the second and third examined Korean adults learning English as a foreign language. (Author/VWL)

The relation between similarity and dissimilarity of context was analyzed for synonymous nouns. New semantic similarity and dissimilarity rating tests with an empirically determined series of linguistic anchors and conventional, arbitrarily anchored semantic similarity ratings were compared. Contextual similarity was elicited by a sorting test…

Discusses a general theory of signs showing that the relationship between acquired language proficiencies and nonverbal abilities must be closer than commonly supposed. Presents a general theory of signs showing why it is possible in principle to make linguistically and culturally unbiased judgments about intellectual abilities on the basis of…

Describes the outcomes and discusses possible implications for the development of assessment with a Computer Algebra System (CAS) when a group of undergraduate mathematics students, familiar with using a CAS in examinations, tackled an assortment of traditional (i.e., non-CAS type) questions. (Author/MM)

Develops a sensitive and specific pre-semester assessment for students enrolled in general chemistry for science majors that would identify students at risk for failing the course. The student pre-semester assessment (SPSA) predicted 40.8% of the students who went on to fail first-semester general chemistry. It was a better predictor of at-risk…

Looks at a sample conversation and examines layers of interpretation that different academic traditions have constructed to interpret it. Reviews studies that have compared the discourse of oral interaction in assessment with oral discourse in contexts outside the assessment. Discusses studies that related ways of speaking to cultural values of…

Discusses the role of gender in speaking tests and suggests that in oral interviews it is possible that both interviewing and rating may be highly gendered processes. Audiotaped female and male test-takers who undertook practice IELTS interviews, one with a female interviewer and once with a male interviewer. Results from discourse and test score…

Results of Public Agenda survey of 853 superintendents and 909 principals about problems they face in carrying out their jobs reveal concerns with bureaucracy, workload, funding, accountability, teacher tenure, and university administrator preparation programs. Asked administrators to rate approaches to improve their working conditions. Draws…

A pilot study used the Spanish Oral Proficiency Test (SOPT)--a taped oral test--to evaluate the oral proficiency level of students of intermediate Spanish. Also examined what variables might affect the development of students' oral skills. (Author/VWL)

Describes an easy-to-administer test of productive vocabulary that requires subjects to produce a set of word association responses to a small set of stimulus words. Argues that such a test might tap the extent of nonnative speakers' productive vocabulary more effectively than other tests in current use. (Author/VWL)

Discusses usability testing for Web sites and explains how librarians can implement the methods needed to evaluate their library Web sites. Highlights include reviewing other library Web sites; defining the users; defining test objectives that are linked to user needs; administering the tests; and pertinent resources. (LRW)

Addresses the area of validating the match between intended and actual test-taker language with respect to a blueprint of language functions representing the construct of spoken language ability. Discusses an observation checklist designed for both a prioria and a posteriori analysis of speaking task output. (Author/VWL)

The passage of "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) legislation has led to an increased awareness of testing and assessment in public school systems and its impact. A cursory review of the academic literature and national news sources on the impact of standardized testing revealed a plethora of anecdotal cases of students experiencing illness,…