Test bias, assumed as equal regression lines between two different tests for different populations was investigated to predict Metropolitan Achievement Tests from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--Revised. Subjects were 1,040 children in grades 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9: Anglo American, Black, Mexican American, and Native American Papago. (JKS)

Highlights research on the participation of students with disabilities in statewide assessments and explores the participation and reporting issues that emerge when considering the inclusion of students with disabilities in large-scale accountability systems and assessments. Recommendations for local-level decision makers for participation and…

Compares two styles of test interpretation, delivered and interactive, in ongoing career counseling for 26 university honors students. Results indicate that clients who received an interactive interpretation considered their sessions to be deeper and their counselors to be more expert, trustworthy, and attractive than did clients who received a…

This study examined whether item overlap, or measurement confounding, accounts for the correlation between temperament and behavior problem symptoms in children. Experts rated items on Children's Behavior Questionnaire and Preschool Behavior Questionnaire for their fit to both constructs, and then these items were factor analyzed with longitudinal…

Ability estimates obtained from applying finite state score theory, item response models, and classical test theory to score multiple-choice items were compared using responses of 1,230 examinees. Scoring models provided essentially the same ranking of examinees, but ease of use and interpretation support the use of the classical test model. (SLD)

Calls for simplicity when presenting data on student achievement. Data should help teachers improve teaching and learning, and focus on specific goals such as determining how many students are succeeding in a subject and, within that subject, what are the areas of strength or weakness. (Contains 22 references.) (WFA)

The four main subsystems of the MicroCAT Testing System for developing, administering, scoring, and analyzing computerized tests using conventional or item response theory methods are described. Judgments of three users of the system are included in the evaluation of this software. (SLD)

In the typical career appraisal, the structure of client and counselor roles and the focus of the assessments and interpretation obstruct its intended purpose in four major ways: casting clients as subordinates, discounting self-assessment by favoring counselor assessments, de-emphasizing the influence of context, and focusing on a single choice.…

Discusses the use of the WORDS computer program in scoring writing assignments. Explains that computerized analysis has identified factors in experienced writers' essays that graders favor but has failed to distinguish clearly between basic and average writers' works. Concludes that holistic scoring can work effectively for student placement, but…

Describes the Second International Science Study. Analyzes several variables mitigating the interpretative power of the study, including different needs and agendas, cultural bias, equivalence of data, data analysis, student retention rates, comparability of target populations, and test validity. (YP)

Key issues in the selection and interpretation of listening tests include: the definition of listening capacity; the test developer's method for measuring listening capacity, through rote recall, following directions, informal reading inventory, etc.; and the impact of internal test components such as test structure, question content, and clarity…

Presents some results from a research project that inquired into the relationship between learning at school and learning at work and the relationship of these two types of learning in the area of vocational training. Results show a high correlation between grades obtained in different subjects at vocational school and assessments by vocational…

The application of generalizability theory to the reliability and error variance estimation for performance assessment scores is discussed. Decision makers concerned with performance assessment need to realize the restrictions that limit generalizability such as limitations that lead to reductions in the number of tasks possible, rater quality,…

Studies whether giving English-as-a-Second-Language college students practice in comprehension monitoring would improve their reading comprehension. Statistically equivalent pairs of subjects were formed. Five articles from daily newspapers were read by participants, who then took a quiz measuring their comprehension of article content. Results…

An approach is presented to the definition of minimal competence for judges to use in standard setting. Panelists in standard setting must receive training to ensure that differences in rating result from differences in perceptions of item difficulty, not in differences of opinion about the definition of minimal competence. (SLD)