This article reviews the development of, and controversy behind, minimum competency testing at the state and national levels. (WI)

This research discusses the dilemma of who should use educational and psychological tests. It is suggested that educational and social institutions moniter the use of testing in their areas. Public awareness of testing is increasing and critical. (MFD)

Marking is described as part of the central examinations for secondary general education in the Netherlands. These consist of two components: an external, and an internal school-based examination. Pedadogical implications of general school assessment practice, plus recent trends, are discussed. (BS)

The author states that the particular types of tests used in the classroom as well as the method of administering and evaluating the test may have a marked effect on the outcome of student measurement. The three most popular tests related to writing and transcribing shorthand--shorthand vocabulary tests, dictation tests, and transcription…

Informs social studies teachers about ways of helping their students prepare for standardized tests by developing classroom exercises that enable students to see relevance and transferability between the classroom activity and the social studies test. (Author/DB)

This report presents factors to consider in the design of computer-based testing for all students, including students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency. It also provides a process for the initial transformation of paper/pencil assessments to inclusive computer-based testing. Steps include: (1) assemble a group of…

Whether assessment items administered using screen reading software measure students learning better than assessment items in a paper-and-pencil format was studied. Using a computer to present a test orally controls for standardization of administration and allows each student to complete the assessment at his/her own pace. In this study, 96…

This chapter briefly describes some of the methods that test developers and psychometricians have devised to identify item and test bias and some of the challenges they still face. Although it may not be reasonable for classroom teachers to use these methods on a day-to-day basis in constructing tests, the authors argue that it is important for…

Three questions are discussed concerning this test: for what population is it appropriate; what is its purpose; and what are the qualifications required for proper administration and interpretation? It is concluded that it is a useful test, but caution is appropriate in answering the three questions. (CTM)

The author examines previous efforts to establish certifying examinations for high school students and their effects on curriculum and students, particularly minorities. Also, to introduce readers to the rest of this theme issue on testing, he briefly discusses test validity, cutoff scores, and effects on teachers. (SJL)

A defense is presented against the criticism that school psychologists who critically evaluate the System of Multicultural Pluralistic Assessment (SOMPA) are biased (TM 504 174). (MH)

Assesses the applicability of corrective feedback (CF) testing, which allows multiple attempts to respond to a test item, to the community college classroom. Compares CF testing to single answer testing, especially with regard to reliability, equitability, and effect on student motivation. (DD)

As the new version of the "Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing" is being developed, it is apparent that putting together a set of standards for test publishing involves many difficulties. Although the basic intent of almost all parties involved is similar, there are many potential areas of disagreement among parties to…

Although most instructors are solely responsible for the evaluation and grading of students, they rarely receive formalized training in test construction or other forms of evaluation. Evaluating highly motivated students in very small classes is a rather uncomplicated procedure; however, evaluating large classes in which students have a range of…

This Digest overviews legal challenges in five areas of test use for decision-making in schools: ability tracking, placement in special education classes, test scores as college admissions criteria, test disclosure, and teacher competency testing. Cases illustrating these challenges are described and include: Hobson v. Hansen (1967), Moses v.…