Defining course objectives and testing these objectives are inseparable components of the education process. The development of a model using eleven language functions as the basis for testing communication in a second language is described. (Text is in French.) (AMH)

Reviews research that shows positive contribution of pictures to young children's recall of prose material and describes two experiments conducted with college graduate students to see if positive effects can be extended to older learners. Results after immediate and delayed testing show recall is improved for older learners as well. (Author/LRW)

Describes statistical analyses of tests used for organic chemistry classes and attempts to pose a model to explain the results. Concluded that students who possess a slight grasp of a concept actually have less of a chance of answering an item correctly than those who merely guess. (CW)

The present status of mathematics education in Japanese schools is described, focusing on students and on ways to improve high school mathematics education. Data from the Second International Mathematics Study and a Japanese survey test are included, as well as information on student attitudes, improvement, and teaching methods. (MNS)

Examines 200 Barbadian parents' and 100 teachers' perceptions of restrictive and coercive strategies for students taking the Common Entrance Examination. Generally, parents were significantly less likely than teachers to view the strategies as undesirable and/or counter-productive. Implications for parents as a potential educational reform…

Presents a study investigating effects of reading ability and study activity (rote or conceptual testing, structured or unstructured review) on learning outcomes of students assigned a reading on behavior modification procedures. Results indicate no significant effect for type of study activity and high reading ability students performed better.…

Considers the influence of curriculum and assessment on educational standards, within a historical and comparative perspective. Argues that higher standards can be reached, and outlines three potential steps to improvement: (1) upgrading the curriculum; (2) utilizing new forms of assessment; and (3) rethinking the concept of tracking to focus on…

Description of course on principles of instructional design includes model for message design which relates instructional events in computer assisted instruction to learner's cognitive processes. Guidelines cover attracting attention, specifying objectives, activating knowledge, presenting information effectively, guiding learning, eliciting…

This investigation evaluated performance of university students on visual and nonvisual versions of an achievement test. Two experimental designs assessed the effects and interactions between visual and nonvisual instructional modes, order of drawing test (before or after verbal/visual achievement test), and mode of drawing test (verbal cued or…

The objectives, construction, and use of the lowest and most general test of the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris series of business French proficiency tests are outlined, and the centers authorized to administer the test in the United States are listed. (MSE)

Proposes use of criteria-based scales, which prescribe levels of writing performance for a particular mode of discourse, as a way to teach and test student writing skills. Pre- and posttesting, teaching for the test utilizing the criteria-based scale, and why this method is successful are also discussed. (MBR)

How do teachers respond to the competing pressures of school accountability, high-stakes testing, classroom assessment and instruction? This updated collection of articles from The Reading Teacher can help. Readers will find tools for: (1) Building school assessment policies; (2) Helping students succeed on high-stakes tests; (3) Using assessment…

An information-processing approach to language learning is examined; language aptitude is factored into the approach, and the role of working memory is discussed. The process of learning includes two processes that make heavy use of working memory is: automatization and restructuring. At first, learners must make a conscious effort to remember and…

This report discusses the outcomes of a study that examined the use of accommodations in state assessment by students with disabilities and explored several related factors. A survey of states indicated 12 states (Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and West…

The first four volumes, comprised of newsletters published during the period of August 1992-January 1996, of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) include articles on: the origins, aims, activities, and membership of the organization; conference activities; development of language testing standards and procedures; guidelines for…