Political and educational consequences of standard setting for criterion-referenced tests are discussed. Suggestions for setting standards are given. (JKS)

Seven formulas for scoring test items with two options (true-false or multiple choice with only two choices) were investigated. Several conditions, such as varying directions for guessing and whether testees had prior knowledge of the proportions of false items on the test were also investigated. (Author/JKS)

Gains of students in compensatory education programs are contrasted using fall-to-spring gains as opposed to fall-to-fall gains. Results indicate substantial loss for compensatory education students over the summer. Using fall-to-fall scores is recommended. (JKS)

Presents a critical view of the roles played by test publishers, educational institutions, teachers and counselors, and students in the proliferation, administration and interpretation of standardized group tests. Focuses on issues of construct validity, cultural bias, accountability and the need for protection for test-takers. (DOW)

Deffenbacher describes test anxiety as a psychological problem and outlines five possible responses of counseling. Carr suggests test anxiety is a political problem calling for preventive counseling stretegies rather than remedial corrective approaches. (Author)

A variety of methods are used to assess secondary school seniors in Australia to determine college admission: locally-developed achievement tests in curricular subjects; external achievement tests; and general aptitude tests, such as the Australian Scholastic Aptitude Tests. Testing problems include aggregating and rescaling of scores. (GDC)

Notes problems with the current emphasis on summative evaluation of student progress and argues that a formative approach would be more beneficial for students and teachers, offering both groups greater understanding of the learning taking place. Discusses practicalities of adopting formative evaluation procedures, e.g., teacher training, computer…

Summarizes trends in competency testing for teachers in the United States. Points out the strong public support for this testing and the problems with predicting teaching success from test results. Concludes that teacher competency testing in Canada, currently less prevalent than in the United States, will increase dramatically. (JHZ)

Discusses the need for researchers to determine what should be tested and how when evaluating educational computing programs, describes efforts of Educational Testing Service's National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to measure the impact of computers on achievement, and concludes that it will not be easy to evaluate computers' effects.…

Test scores are being used for a variety of inappropriate purposes, often to the detriment of minorities. This article recounts recent evidence on misuse of testing, offers strategies for preventing abuse, and urges professionals to take on active roles in preventing misuse of their wares. (LMO)

WISC-Rs and Stanford-Binets were administered to 50 children with developmental disabilities referred for comprehensive evaluations. Fifty-four percent of the children received different classifications using the two instruments. Different classifications of intellectual level may be derived for the same child depending upon which test is used.…

Parents are often asked to complete behavioral checklists and personality inventories regarding their children when they bring them in for psychotherapy or neuropsychological testing. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Conners' Parent Report Scale (CPRS), and the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC) are frequently used tests. Some…

This book explores the practice of testing. Two postulates are assumed: that student assessment should improve performance, rather than just monitoring it, and that testing should be only a small facet of assessment. The first chapter, "Introduction: Assessment and the Morality of Testing," considers what assessment is and how it differs from…

This book is designed to help students become better test takers. It is intended for teachers, but would be helpful to parents who think that their children's test scores do not completely represent their knowledge or abilities. Test taking skills are those skills that, when used effectively, contribute to a "test-wise" individual who can use…