Within the context of recent concerns that mainstream composition studies in the United States have largely neglected English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students, this study describes the performance of ESL students on the exit test of a first year writing program at a U.S. institution. The passing rate for the test was high until the format was…

Analyzes simulated performance ratings on a six-point scale by two independent raters to account for nonsystematic error in performance ratings. Results suggest that rater agreement or covariance is not always a dependable estimate of score reliability and that the practice of seeking additional raters for adjudication of discrepant ratings is not…

Investigates the general factor and uniqueness characteristics of the individual tests of the Woodcock-Johnson Test of Cognitive Ability-Revised (WJTCA-R). Only 2 of the 19 WJTCA-R tests examined had low general factor loadings, while 2 had low uniqueness. All other tests had medium or high uniqueness. Discusses implications for clinical…

Examines the performance characteristics of 83 school-identified learning-disabled children on the Differential Ability Scales. Sixty percent showed a significant standard score discrepancy between the General Conceptual Ability and at least one achievement test. Implications regarding the educational diagnostic and intervention processes…

Focuses on how people from different cultures organize and sequence texts in different ways and how students write essays in a second language that follow the rhetorical patterns of their native language. The article describes the types of essays Chinese students must write for the university entrance exam in their home country. (10 references)…

Adds to the debate on paired tests of spoken language. Argues in favor of the paired format, providing examples from oral testing experiences in Hungary. Considers candidate preferences, performance opportunities, quality of interaction, washback, and training. (Author/VWL)

Provides an overview of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Psychology test focusing on the scoring system for the GRE Psychology test, who prepares the test and how the test is prepared, and the usefulness of the GRE Psychology test. Explores some future directions for the test. (CMK)

Presents a five year cross-sectional study that measured the self esteem, reading, and mathematical attainments of five cohorts of Year 2 British children over the period of introduction of the National Curriculum and assessment procedures into primary schools. Reports that self esteem showed a downward trend throughout the first four years of the…

Addresses the changing nature of social studies assessment and its importance as a curriculum component. Offers a brief history of social studies assessment and discusses the present stance on assessment and evaluation. Considers assessing student discourse in group settings and ensuring individual accountability. Provides guidelines for utilizing…

Presented successive auditory time gatings of unfamiliar words--familiar, phonologically-related words and familiar, phonologically-unrelated words--to school-age children with and without specific language impairments (SLI). The groups did not differ significantly in the point at which they recognized familiar words, but the subjects with SLI…

Investigates the instructional effect of using selected testing sequences and gaming methods on students' delayed retention. Results of instructional treatments and criterion tests of 87 students indicated significant preferences for specific instructional strategies. The treatments were functionally identical in that they did not instigate levels…

Describes an analysis of children's performance in the 1997 mathematics test taken by all 7- and 14-year-olds in England and Wales. Identifies and places the correct answers and errors made on the tests on a Rasch scale ranking the children's ability. Includes references. (CMK)

Reviews the literature on the prevalence and effects of test anxiety on children in compulsory education. Describes test anxiety stating that overall test anxiety in children is increasing. Discusses methodological problems in the literature and offers suggestions for further research. Includes references. (CMK)

Focuses on the effects of changes to high-stakes tests on the performance of those who take them. These effects are explored within the specific context of the Hong Kong Advanced Supplementary (AE) "Use of English" (UE) oral examination. (Author/VWL)

Focuses on the increase in discourse-based studies of oral proficiency assessment techniques. Discusses research carried out on a number of factors in the assessment setting, including the role of interlocutor, candidate, and rater, and the impact of tasks, task performance conditions, and rating criteria. (Author/VWL)