This special issue covers recent technical developments in the field of criterion-referenced testing. An introduction, six papers, and two commentaries dealing with test development, test score uses, and evaluation of scores review relevant literature, offer new models and/or results, and suggest directions for additional research. (SLD)

Survey of 174 college students reveals that the ideas proposed by Becker, Geer, and Hughes (1968) apply to students in 1988: a Grade Point Average (GPA) orientation is translated into patterns of teacher evaluation, resource assessment, and test taking and studying behavior. (BJV)

In a written interview format, President Reagan discusses drug and alcohol testing programs for students and school employees, voluntary school prayer, local control of education, child poverty rates, English as an official language, values instruction in public schools, nuclear arms control, early learning experiences, and his administration's…

Reviews research dealing with test wiseness and concludes that teachers and others who administer tests and those who review results should consider the degree to which test wiseness characteristics might have been operative had a planned effort been undertaken to provide special instruction. (FL)

Two cases illustrate the recent trend toward testing school employees for drugs and suggest the emerging legal limits on such testing. Four questions are answered concerning court interpretations of statutory and constitutional issues related to drug testing for both personnel and students. (PGD)

Presents an overview of litigation pertaining to the use of tests in public employment. Provides guidelines for the development of teacher testing programs within legal parameters. (KH)

Describes a study which examined the reliability, validity, and scalability of a new technique for constructing, administering, and scoring dictation tests to measure second language proficiency. Findings indicate that such tests can be constructed easily by dividing a coherent text into segments of increasing length. (SED)

The text of the American Council on Education's draft of proposed guidelines for drug testing of college athletes is provided. The purpose of programs for testing intercollegiate athletes for use of drugs, it is suggested, should be to prevent use of performance-enhancing drugs that undermine the integrity of athletic competition. (MLW) PUBTYPE-055

Today, because of the problem-solving skills necessary for successful 21st century living, students must be taught higher-order thinking skills. Principles intended to stimulate discussion about the appropriate means for teaching higher-order thinking are examined. (RM)

Describes a workshop on teaching high school geometry to the blind. Includes general suggestions for teachers with a blind student in their classes as well as suggestions related to lecture assignments, homework, and testing. Information on equipment and resource materials is also included. (JN)

The Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park is the setting for a one-day laboratory exercise and evaluation of high school students' understanding of physics. The concepts and general techniques measured and the park's resources are discussed. Sample student responses are included. (JN)

Describes an innovative freshman chemistry program in which course sequences have been designed to accommodate students with strong or weak chemistry backgrounds or with no previous chemistry at all. Includes information on courses offered, instructional strategies, and laboratory examinations. (JN)

Investigated what abilities and objectives can be measured on practical tests. Results suggest that these tests be composed of separate parts which measure the ability to perform an experiment and the ability to interpret and analyze an experiment. A brief description of the Dutch school system is included. (JN)

Assessment practices as determined from a literature review are discussed within the categories of screening, classification, instruction, and related issues. A range of instruments was found to be used. (MNS)

In light of recent evidence from Africa, Central America, and Asia, examines why rural parents in developing nations do or do not send children to primary school when compulsory education cannot be enforced. Considers economic aims, literary values, testing, and negative school attitudes in small areas of five countries. (SB)