Problems associated with criterion-referenced language testing are discussed in the context of both standardized proficiency testing and classroom assessment. First, different interpretations of criterion-referencing are examined. A range of approaches for defining criteria and performance levels in second language assessment are outlined, and…

This collection of 14 articles look at the issues in theory and application that arise in the use of simplification in language pedagogy. Articles include the following: (1) "Simplification in Pedagogy" (Christopher Brumfit); (2) "Simplification" (H. V. George); (3) "Fossilization as Simplification?" (Larry Selinker);…

A Cuyahoga County (Ohio) project developed a multiagency, comprehensive basic skills improvement system designed to increase the employability of people receiving public assistance, out-of-school youth, and Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) clients. An advisory committee composed of individuals representing the collaborative groups was…

A study evaluated the relative pedagogical and cost effectiveness of training programs for international teaching assistants (ITAs) that are conducted before and within the academic year. Both program types were established at the University of Illinois during the academic year 1989-90, with similar content, the same number of contact hours, the…

The document includes two questionnaire/survey instruments, one completed by 36 pupil appraisal personnel (e.g., psychologists, social workers, physical therapists, nurses) and the other completed by 38 child search coordinators as part of a study designed to evaluate the quality and efficiency of early education programs serving handicapped…

First published in 1951, this guidebook for college instructors and teaching assistants was written to answer the questions posed by new college teachers, to place them at ease in their jobs, and to get them started effectively in the classroom. The book contains the following parts: (1) Getting Started (e.g., course preparation, meeting the…

The relationship between the relative language proficiencies of bilingual children and their scores on tests administered in one or both languages was studied in students referred to special education because of suspected learning disabilities. Bilingual Hispanic students (25 males and 15 females) in grades 2 through 4 from an urban school…

Traditional preservice and inservice training programs have focused on specific techniques for teaching and testing specific aspects of the target language, usually grammatical structures. With proficiency as the organizing principle, both what teachers think and what they do in the classroom can and must be viewed from this new perspective.…

Designed to give the teacher a capsule explanation of how the system works, this guide introduces the Mountain-Plains instructor to specific curriculum materials and provides examples of the basic instruments used in the Mountain-Plains program, a residential, family-based education program developed to improve the economic potential and lifestyle…

Presented are written explanations and critical evaluations of the major teaching practices now being used in undergraduate education. Discussed are both traditional approaches to teaching (lecturing, testing, leading discussions) and new approaches (using a personalized system of instruction, teaching with computers, developing learning…

During a panel discussion on high school-university relations, with reference to language programs, the following problems were isolated: student attitudes toward academic work; non-academically inclined versus academically inclined students; differing levels of proficiency among incoming freshmen; different methodologies; and reduction in…

The City and Guild of London Institute was set up about one hundred years ago in England to create links among schools, industry, and apprenticeship programs in order to provide examinations to qualify persons entering various trades. Today, the Institute provides services for vocational education according to this procedure: (1) agrees with…

Since 1971 the status of Mexican American education hasn't changed significantly in three important areas: students, curriculum, and educational finance and resources. Mexican American students are underrepresented at all academic levels, especially higher levels, and in advanced science and math courses. Educational efforts begun in the 1960s…

This report is the result of a field test of "Health Service Careers" curriculum materials developed and published by the Curriculum and Instructional Materials Center, Oklahoma State Department of Vocational Technical Education. The results and conclusions reported in the study relate to student achievement and teacher evaluations and…

This investigation capitalizes upon the information processing models that depend upon measurement of latency of response to a mathematical problem and the decomposition of reaction time (RT). Simple two term addition problems were presented with possible solutions for true-false verification, and accuracy and RT to response were recorded. Total…