Discusses the value of student self-assessment in promoting students' confidence in their ability to do mathematics and allowing them to become more independent in their learning of mathematics. The article describes various methods by which a student may self-evaluate and how the teacher might respond in fairly detailed examples. (AIM)

Demonstrates the capabilities of graphics calculators in assisting with a simple mathematical investigation. Subjects covered include Direct Calculation, Tables, Graphing Particular Cases, Logarithms, Parametric Solutions, and Three-Dimensional Plots and Contours. The question posed for investigation with the calculator is, for what pairs of…

Presents a characteristic curve procedure for comparing transformations of the item response theory ability scale assuming the multiple-choice model. Illustrates the use of the method with an example equating American College Testing mathematics tests. (SLD)

From their experience with open-ended tests requiring higher-order thinking and problem-solving abilities, schoolchildren in the USSR learn to think before answering. U.S. students instead train for rapid response, learning how to take tests rather than how to solve problems. Tests should be part of the curriculum, not separate from it. (MLH)

Discusses the Third International Mathematics and Science Study including schools' involvement, international dimensions, tests' content, and value of TIMSS. (MKR)

This article describes the City of London Polytechnic Mathematics Competition for Inner London Secondary Schools. The question design policy is specified, and examples of tie-breaker questions are given. (Author/JDD)

Discusses some results of the CSMS test which provides information for teachers on students' levels of understanding in secondary school mathematics, including comparison with a Piagetian task, identification of misconceptions, and description of naive strategies. (MKR)

Review of trends in scores on the Scholastic Assessment Tests (SATs) suggests that increasing differences between mean scores on the verbal and mathematical sections may be at least partially due to statistical problems in the 1950s, changes in school curricula, and changes in the composition of the student test-taking population. (DB)

Validated data from a developmental mathematics assessment using classical and three-faceted Rasch measurement methods. Analysis of field test data for 289 elementary school students suggested that a unidimensional construct was being measured, as defined by Rasch criteria. Discusses limitations in confirming content-related validity of the…

An instrument developed for measuring mathematical thinking was administered to high school students in Nebraska to determine the effects of class level and gender on mathematical thinking. Results showed significant differences in mathematical thinking due to class level in favor of higher class levels with the exception of grades 11 and 12. (PVD)

Discusses the effects of high-stakes tests in Michigan and how these tests affect the teaching of mathematics in classrooms. (ASK)

Reliability is a problem inherent in all educational assessments, but the amount of attention this particular problem should be given is related to the function and use of the assessment. In this article, classification accuracy is put forward as a conceptualization of reliability that is meaningful for a large number of educational assessments.…

Monitoring educational changes over many years is problematic when there are differences in curricula, the nature of the variables being measured, and the selection of participants. Rasch measurement techniques provide a procedure that enables each of these issues to be examined. Using archived and specially collected data, tests of numeracy…

In a mathematical examination on paper, partial credit is normally awarded for an answer that is not correct, but, nevertheless, contains some of the correct working. Assessment on computer normally marks an incorrect answer wrong and awards no marks. This can lead to discrepancies between marks awarded for the same examination given in the two…

This report describes the derivation and evaluation of a method for comparing the performance standards for public school students set by different states. It is based on an approach proposed by McLaughlin and associates, which constituted an innovative attempt to resolve the confusion and concern that occurs when very different proportions of…