The predictive validity of several mathematics and language variables relative to criteria of grade point average and word problem-solving skills for 60 bilingual Hispanic technical students is investigated. Examination of standardized college admission criteria is urged. Revealed is a disparity in academic performance between bilingual and…

Criticism of the use of standardized tests in postsecondary education centers on: using test scores as the sole or main criterion for admission; scoring practices used for normative or grading functions rather than for diagnosis; and tracking students into different types of postsecondary institutions. (MH)

Reports on a study in which 12 good and 12 poor fourth-grade readers read selections in their original format and with the words in random order; concludes that the results indicate that word identification errors elicited on tests in isolation do not constitute a solid basis for predicting errors in connected text. (ET)

Two feedback forms have been developed to improve communication between curriculum developers and evaluators during a pilot project involving all subject areas in eight Indonesian schools. The first form involves time factors, teacher difficulties, student achievement, and evaluation team comments; the second focuses on diagnosing poorly achieved…

It is asserted that intelligence testing is part of a national educational ideology which is used to rationalize Chicanos' educational inequalities. This rationale suggests that inequality is the result of the group's inability to function competently within the American social and educational structures. (MH)

Describes a study to determine faculty attitudes regarding examination accommodations for students with learning disabilities and disabled students' attitudes regarding such accommodations. Finds that faculty were generally accepting of accommodations, but that students were apprehensive about approaching faculty for assistance and did not clearly…

Argues that standardized testing undermines creativity and individuality. Contends that standardized testing has more to do with control of education than excellence, and discusses the impact of the National Assessment of Educational Progress on educational control. Maintains that flexible, alternative testing can evaluate student performance…

Limitations in standardized test use with Hispanic students are summarized and recent research developments supporting use of testing and assessment as tools for promoting learning are examined. Assisted performance and dynamic assessment are discussed in the context of individual education plans and a test-train-test cycle. (Author/MSE)

This study of 12 children (ages 7-13) with mild to moderate bilateral sensorineural hearing loss found that psychoeducational diagnostic tests standardized on students with normal hearing may be used with confidence to assess both cognitive and academic levels of functioning in students with sensorineural hearing loss. (Author/JDD)

The validity of several criticisms of objective tests is addressed, and the viability of some alternatives to objective testing is discussed. Evidence against multiple-choice tests is not as strong as has been claimed. Authentic assessments may not always be better, and research about new forms of assessment is necessary. (SLD)

This study examined the stability over 1-year and 2-year periods of the relationship between a cognitive measure and 2 language measures in 125 children (ages 3-7) with developmental delays. Findings indicated substantial changes in the cognitive-language relationship over time, suggesting that the discrepancy model is not appropriate for service…

In the past decade, testing of young children has been excessive and inappropriate. Leftover IQ tests have been used to track children into ineffective programs or to deny them school entry. Prereading tests held over from the 1930s have encouraged the teaching of decontextualized skills. Assessment advocates must clearly demonstrate testing's…

Practices identified by experts as critical variables in eliciting writing samples were checked against 12 randomly selected studies using holistic ratings to derive descriptions of inferential statistical results for described samples. The studies often lacked precise information about these variables, limiting understanding of writing evaluation…

From a survey of Arizona teachers/administrators and observations in two elementary schools concerning the role of external testing, a typology of teacher orientation toward preparing students to take high-stakes achievement tests is identified. Eight categories of teachers' approaches are contrasted with meanings of test preparation held by other…

This study investigated the technical adequacy of 7 objective indexes of writing quality in monitoring the progress of 36 middle school students with mild disabilities over a 6-month period. Three indexes (such as "percent of legible words") were moderately correlated with holistic ratings but were not sufficiently stable over time. (Author/JDD)