The thesis is that a test taker's chances for success on a standardized test are related to the similarity between the test taker's linguistic competence and the linguistic presuppositions of the test. This article is adapted from a paper presented at the 1977 Georgetown University Roundtable of Linguistics. (Author)

The author discusses the complex nature of assessing bilingual special education students, recommends a textbook on the topic, notes the contributions of J. Mercer's System of Multicultural Pluralistic Assessment, and cites the need for special educators to focus on the issue. (CL)

Three types of test bias are discussed: content bias, atmosphere bias, and use bias. Use bias is considered the most important. Tests reflect the bias in society, and eliminating test bias means eliminating racism and sexism in society. A six-stage model to eliminate racism and sexism is presented. (Author)

Retired vice-president of Educational Testing Service asserts that chances for tests being misused are greater than ever. Speech delivered at ETS's Invitational Conference on Testing Problems on October 28, 1972, in New York, New York. (DS)

A defense of testing is given. The author examines opposition to and criticism of testing, and discusses teaching to the test, effects on curricula, and test bias. (MK)

The interrelationships among halo and leniency rating errors were examined using simulated rating data. As leniency increased, halo decreased when measured by dimension intercorrelations but increased when measured by standard deviations across dimensions. Implications of these results for the use of the various measures are discussed. (SLD)

Draws on examples from college athletics, education, and personal experience to describe racial unfairness both of using scholastic tests where they should not be used and of not using them where they should be used. Suggests that greater consideration be given to reasons for administering or withholding tests and whether such action is…

This study evaluated the Bielefeld Developmental Test for Blind Infants and Preschoolers by comparing cognitive performance of blind and sighted children (ages three and four). Results indicated that even this test (with "blind-neutral" items) did not permit a fair comparative assessment, though it did prove suitable for within-group…

Presents examples of test bias and test misuse. Discusses FairTest (National Center for Fair and Open Testing) program areas and initiatives at the elementary, secondary, and higher education levels. Discusses keeping the community informed. (RS)

Addresses issues faced by institutions attempting to design school profiles to meet accountability standards. Reports of high-stakes test results can be skewed by choice of statistic type (percent of students passing versus mean scores), sample bias, geographical transients, and omission errors. Administrators must look beyond "common…

The hypothesis that sexist wording as opposed to gender-neutral wording lowers the scores of females on interest measures was tested using occupational titles with a sample of 94 high school girls. Results lend no support to the hypothesis. (Author)

A description of the rationale and the development of the BITCH-100 (Black Intelligence Test of Cultural Homogeneity), a culture specific test for the American black population. Experimental evidence is reported on the norming and validation of this instrument and suggestions made as to potential advantages over the traditional testing approach as…

The Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills, Form U, is scored in two ways: number-correct and pattern. The latter makes use of the information about which particular items are answered correctly, giving more weight to the more discriminating items and making allowances for guessing. Critics have suggested that black students are penalized by pattern…

Discusses two types of test bias: the sex bias found in interest inventories and certain standardized achievement tests; and cultural bias found in some standardized intelligence tests. (HMV)

It is highly probable that some applicants for apprenticeships are unfairly excluded from consideration because of the less than accurate information provided by some psychological tests. (Author)