Item banking offers psychometric efficiency and user flexibility when compared with standardized testing. This article discusses the theories, procedures, and potential of item banks for improving educational measurement. (BS)

Some negative feelings about tests may be the result of not understanding what tests do, what their limitations are, and how they are scored. Classroom, standardized, achievement, and criterion-referenced tests are discussed. Tips for helping children develop a realistic attitude toward tests and good work habits are given. (MT)

Ninety-seven fifth graders took a multiple-choice test with factual and guess questions after reading a 900-word text. The effects of immediate informative feedback, delayed feedback, or no feedback on their performance on a delayed retention tests were analyzed. Results suggested that awareness of initial errors was helpful. (Author/BS)

A group of school districts in Western Oregon has developed a goal-based improvement model that provides teachers and administrators with a common information base. (Author)

Responding to doubts about the validity of test results that showed the Pittsburgh School District's school improvement project to be highly successful, the district validated its results by administering a different test to a representative sample of students in secure conditions. (MCG)

Seeing intelligence as neither strongly hereditary nor necessarily stable over time, and accepting the notion that it is a significant determinant of future occupational status, liberal psychologists and educators rely on the intervention of social institutions, primarily the school. The liberal view toward testing and intelligence is discussed.…

Examines reasons for community colleges' return to mandatory testing and placement in courses/programs where students have a reasonable expectation of success. Looks at the use and success of other retention strategies, including orientation programs, tutors, and integrated support services. (DMM)

An outcome of the excellence movement has been an increase in state control of education, especially through state-mandated testing, as testing has become the preferred means of trying to effect change in education following the popularity of accountability and minimum competency testing. Suggestions for using tests prudently are listed. (DCS)

The purpose of the study was to describe (1) ways that adults prepare for the General Educational Development Test, (2) test performance of population subgroups, and (3) test candidates' employment and educational outcomes 18 months later. Significant differences were found in a number of areas, and variables related to test performance were…

The first group response on the state of American education from the educational community is reported. These educators agree that debate is healthy, but are concerned that the nation prepare for long-term solutions rather than a "quick fix." (MD)

Very few studies of variations in grouping students for instructional purposes have concerned themselves with the legal aspects of the practice of separating children into classes. The legal problems facing those who make decisions related to sorting children for purposes of instruction were considered. (Author/RK)

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…

Looks at the implications of some striking new research on how children become successful readers. (Editor)

The decline in test scores is more reflective of social changes than of educational failure. (IRT)

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)