Examines evidence from Expanding Circle settings that the norms for Standard English usage, teaching, and testing my not always be those of the Inner Circle. reference to recent research concerning the Expanding Circle nations indicates that in certain international and regional domains of language use in these countries, English functions as a…

Focuses on the issue of intelligence testing within Scotland during the 1920's and 1930's. Addresses the reasons why Scotland delayed the use of intelligence tests for selection for secondary education, even though the conditions seemed to have been ideal for the adoption of intelligence testing. (CMK)

Summarizes the most important results of two international studies, the Educational Careers and Psychosocial Development in Youth (ECPDY) and the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Addresses the problems of measuring school achievement and determining social behavior and other attributes. (CMK)

Focuses on the discussion of whether "none of the above" (NOTA) questions should be used on tests. Discusses a study in which a protocol analysis was conducted on written statements of examinees while answering NOTA items. Explains that a multiple-choice test was given to university students finding that NOTA options seem to be more attractive.…

Examines the question of variation among interviewers of oral language proficiency interviews in the ways that they elicit demonstrations of communicative ability and the impact of this variation on candidate performance and raters' perceptions of candidate ability. A discourse analysis of two interviews involving the same candidate with two…

Summarizes findings from investigations into the development and use of a prototype English language task-based performance test. Data included performances by 90 examinees in 13 complex and skill-integrative tasks. Findings indicated that the task-based test could inform intended inferences about examinees' abilities to accomplish specific tasks…

A survey of 55 land-grant institutions gathered information on policies and practices concerning preemployment testing, particularly for positions in the clerical, secretarial, accounting, and similar areas. Results suggest these institutions lag behind the private sector in selecting employees. Continuing revision and updating of testing is…

Responds to five major articles by Duckworth, Goldman, Healy, Sampson, and Goodyear on issues pertaining to testing and assessment in counseling psychology. Suggests that such a diversity of approaches leads to a more comprehensive and flexible model of counseling, adaptable to differences in clients, context, and counselor personalities. (TE)

Maintains that the social studies curriculum is appropriate for teaching thinking skills but that the subject is taught to enhance student performance on state-mandated tests. Traces historically the introduction of thinking skills into the curriculum. Examines the conflict over teaching thinking skills; namely the content versus process dispute.…

Provides the goals of participative citizenship education that Ohio Council for the Social Studies formulated around definition of citizenship education offered by Ohio Department of Education. States it is important for statewide proficiency examinations to enhance rather than negate the approach adopted. Identifies eight objectives of…

Considers the relationship between testing and curriculum by examining the testing literature. Argues that a test that is both valid and useful is not possible due to the absence of a certifiable standard in most curriculum areas. Suggests that validation could be better defined through a consideration of various factors of education. (KO)

Reviews the United Kingdom's Eleven-plus Examination and discusses its use in developing countries. Notes that the rise of the comprehensive school has made the use of the examination redundant. Points out that the examination still thrives outside the United Kingdom, perhaps because it was implemented differently in those locales. (KO)

Examines the issue of giving English-language oral proficiency examinations in overseas English-medium universities as part of student evaluations. An oral test given at Jordan's Yarmouk University is reviewed showing an attempt to administer biannual, oral-communicative-proficiency tests to 1,000 students at a time. (24 references) (GLR)

A study of 56 fifth graders found the traditional physical education approach (game techniques and fundamentals) was ineffective in improving scores on a health-related physical fitness test. Modification of the same sport (basketball) with conditioning exercises to improve cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal function, produced improvement in…

Surveys the trait anxiety profile and preference concerning types of examinations of preservice science teachers. Reports that the students prefer examinations on understanding and analyzing rather than on knowing and remembering, and that students' anxiety states correlate with the type of examination and sex. (Author)