A competency-based pharmacy course was refined to minimize variations in the instructor-related factors by developing a specialized study guide, a specific lecture format, and precise objective examinations. Student grade expectations, perceived degree of memorizing, hours of study, time taken for examinations, and the absenteeism rate were…

Suggestions are given for organizing workshops to train school personnel to administer the Health Related Physical Fitness Test (HRPFT) of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. A model for such workshops is described, and sources of further information and expertise about administering the test are noted. (PP)

A survey of 579 special education professionals investigated the perceived roles of the professionals who use tests and the functions that various tests serve. The issue of turf guarding in assessment responsibilities among professionals working with the learning disabled was considered. (SW)

In this series of six articles, authors discuss motivating students through praise, using questioning as a teaching method, teaching lazy learners by making them find their own answers, tips on testing, improving reading and study habits, and teaching job-related English to refugees. (JOW)

A survey of 150 British teachers in schools for the severely mentally handicapped to investigate techniques used for language and communication assessment is discussed. (SB)

Indicates that fifth grade students receiving systematic instruction in study skills performed significantly higher on factual short answer tests. (AEA)

Costs and benefits of New York's Truth-in-Testing law are reviewed and related to constitutional issues and fairness to test-makers as well as test-takers. Besides matters of cost and test question availability, challenges to the legislation also involve issues of due process, equal protection, and infringement of existing copyright laws. (MSE)

Proceedings of the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers which relate to office management are summarized, including: calendars, commencement procedures, publications, records, registration, reports, scheduling, staffing, testing, transcripts, and certificates. Names and institutions of…

Gives practical suggestions for grading of tests so students are treated fairly and so that test results reflect goals of course. Criteria are validity and reliability. Grades should be established before grading begins. (Author/BK)

Various testing-the-limits procedures were employed in administering the Raven Coloured Progressive Matrices Test to second- and fourth-grade children. Tests of impulsivity, neuroticism, extroversion, intelligence, and achievement were given. Procedures which involved verbalization and feedback were efficacious in maximizing performance on the…

Describes three procedures (with sample items) developed to measure conceptual growth in children: (1) a short answer type achievement paper test; (2) stimulus cards; and (3) card sorting task. Tests were designed to enable investigators to observe, record, and quantify student's thinking without disrupting or distorting it. (DS)

The standard lecture/discussion format and the Personalized System of Instruction format (PSI) are compared by analyzing student evaluations of two sections of a course in production and operations management. Results of a t test, used to identify significant differences, indicate that PSI received higher ratings on most measures. (Author/AEF)

Gives an overview of the development and testing of an interview instrument used by teachers of English as a second language to assess the oral proficiency of nonnative speakers. (The actual instrument is reprinted in the article that follows this one). (SK)

Presents data indicating that a large number of multiple-choice problems gives a reasonable correlation with hand-graded problems. (SK)

The results of exercises related to fractions on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for 9- and 13-year-olds are reported. This discussion is followed by suggestions on ways to help students be more successful when adding fractions. (MP)