Scores on mental ability and academic skills for 1958 and 1978 of representative sample of grade 4 and 7 classes in Saskatchewan were compared. The selected students were administered appropriate levels of the Otis-Lennon Mental Ability Tests, and the Canadian Tests of Basic skills in vocabulary, reading, language skills (spelling, capitalization,…

After outlining the goals, budget, and personnel of the research and evaluation branch of the Dallas Independent School District, the results of 150 program evaluations are summarized and interpreted. Most evaluations are based on achievement gains as measured by standardized achievement tests. Results are often analyzed by district, subdistrict,…

This guide presents detailed information concerning the purposes and process of program evaluation, the role of the evaluator, and the development of an evaluation plan or design. Instruction is provided in selecting or developing assessment instruments, collecting and analyzing data, reporting evaluation results and applying the findings. The…

Clinchy and Rosenthal's error classification scheme was applied to test results to determine its ability to differentiate the effectiveness of instruction in two elementary schools. Mathematics retention tests matching the instructional objectives of both schools were constructed to measure the understanding of arithmetic concepts and the ability…

Twelve common errors which can invalidate an otherwise sound evaluation are identified, and ways to avoid them are presented. The hazards are: (1) grade-equivalent scores; (2) inappropriate statistical adjustments with nonequivalent control groups; (3) administering norm-referenced tests at inappropriate times of the school year; (4) inappropriate…

Mastery tests are analyzed in terms of the number of skills to be mastered and the number of items per skill, in order that correct decisions of mastery or nonmastery will be made to a desired degree of probability. It is assumed that a random sample of skills will be selected for measurement, that each skill will be measured by the same number of…

This is the second of two volumes developed by Project CONNECT in order to enable local program personnel to determine the appropriateness of a test for a particular child. For 71 preschool tests the following information is presented, when available: title, whether the test is for screening or verification, bibliographic information, descriptive…

Once a year, all children in grades two through four in the schools of a suburb of Copenhagen, Denmark, are administered silent reading tests. The test scores become the basis for an hour-long dialogue between the respective classroom teacher and a reading specialist. The focus of the dialogue is the improvement of instruction for each child, and…

This amicus curiae was filed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) in the case of the United States of America and South Carolina Education Association v. South Carolina, which involved the validity of South Carolina's use of the National Teacher Examinations (NTE). The NTE, a battery of achievement tests designed to measure the academic…

It is argued that knowledge about the testing of intonation in English as a foreign language is inadequate; the major problems are outlined and tentative suggestions are given. The basic problem is that the traditional foreign language teacher's conception of intonation is limited. A three-part definition of intonation is favored, with suggestions…

This Technical Research Report is primarily designed for reference by educational testing and measurement specialists as a supplemental guide to interpretation of Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) results in local and state career guidance and counseling programs. This study examined the validity of specific ASVAB composities from…

Black, Puerto Rican, Chicano, native American and low income white children represent the vast educational underclass who are most likely to be affected by test misuse or abuse. More than 50 million American children take at least three standardized tests a year, it is estimated. Of these an estimated ten percent are subjected to and are damaged…

One of the overriding problems of any psychometric study is that aspects of behavior that are nonquantifiable or difficult to quantify are not considered. The other side of this coin is that those aspects of behavior that are easiest to quantify tend to be what are examined. In evaluating bilingual education programs, problems are found in the…

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) program is described in this article from the standpoint of the policy-making and administrative arrangement which provide the context within which the Advanced Literature and 22 other similar tests exist. The development and dissemination of the Advanced Tests is outlined. A discussion of policy-making and…

This report presents an overview of research related to the development of the "Wisconsin Tests of Testimony and Reasoning Assessment," a battery of seven tests for assessing student development in the mastery of relevant concepts and skills of verbal argument for grades 10-12. Provided are (1) a discussion of the rationale for and…