The author takes the position that the use of a diagnostic-remedial model to provide special education services to the "mildly handicapped" is often inappropriate. (Author)

In spite of the use of nominations, rating scales, checklists, standard measuring instruments, culture-specific models, quota system models, and identification and instructional models, the number of Black students identified as gifted remains very small. New practices for identifying this subgroup must emphasize the diversity within the Black…

Although several vision screening techniques are available for infants, none is routinely used. Visual deficits are often first detected through required preschool vision screenings, which vary in their comprehensiveness. No standardization for testing or administration exists. Some of the testing procedures used may have inappropriately high…

MARC (Methodical Assessment of Reports by Computer) is a report-marking program which enables teachers to provide individualized feedback on reports written by engineering students. The MARC system is objective in its consistent application of the same programed criteria, but also allows individual markers to supply their own comments as required.…

A set of guidelines for planning and establishing a certification testing program is presented. The guidelines are organized into three components: (1) content specification; (2) item development; and (3) test design. A mythical new certification testing program, called the Tennis Players' Certification Testing Program, is used to illustrate the…

This article highlights three common problems with assessment research, including the following needs: (1) to adopt a hypothesis testing approach; (2) for research to be guided by available formal and informal theory, and (3) for research to be consistent with general school psychological practice. New research methodologies and new research…

Argues that orienting high school teaching towards the advanced placement test fails, ironically, to prepare students for thinking, writing, and reading skills required in college. Noting that standardized tests promote the (misleading) conception of knowledge as correctness, offers a choice-based method for students to analyze writing function…

Provides background information on the McGaw report, which addresses literacy assessment in secondary education. Presents the Western Australian Education Department's view of literacy. Describes the guidelines and assessment procedures in the Department's investigation of the McGaw report's implications. Discusses the 1986 school trials that…

Suggests ways a teacher who is interested in performing Piagetian testing might persuade a principal of the validity of the tests, and offers insight into the connection between cognitive development and reading achievement. (JC)

Children ages 5-13 diagnosed as Attention Deficit (ADDH), Anxiety (ANX), or Conduct plus ADDH (HC) Disorder and matched normal controls were compared on measures of impulsivity, arousal, motor performance, activity level, and cognition. When age, sex, and verbal intelligence quotient (IA) effects were partialed out, few differences among…

Two models of library circulation, the Markov model and the mixed Poisson Model, are applied to circulation statistics from the University of Saskatchewan. Goodness-of-fit tests indicate that neither model fits the data; in both cases, the set of noncirculating items is larger than that predicted by the model. (Author/LRW)

Investigated stability of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) intelligence quotient scores of 32 exceptional students over six-year interval. Used 20 learning disabled and 12 mentally disabled students aged 6 to 16. Test-retest findings indicated median reliability value of .74. Discusses implications for clinicians and…

Addresses three questions: (1) What is involved in understanding a word or concept? (2) How do we presently measure word knowledge? (3) What are some alternative formats which teachers could utilize with their students? Suggests techniques such as paired word questions, categorizing, analogies, and sentence writing as ways to evaluate vocabulary…

Focuses on how state policies affect the teacher-learner relationship in classrooms. Particular attention is given to standard setting as implemented through testing mechanisms. With respect to students, test-based standards as well as test-based instructional processes are examined. With respect to teachers, test-based standards for professional…