This study reports the results of an investigation into the accuracy and efficacy of item calibration schemes used by two commercially available personal computer programs, BILOG and MicroCAT, when used to calibrate a test that is currently used in higher education. A calibration of 1,000 randomly selected students' responses to a 72-question math…

This book is a collection of articles on assessment in mathematics selected from issues of three journals: "The Arithmetic Teacher" (later published as "Teaching Children Mathematics"), "The Mathematics Teacher," and "Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School". Articles provide background, rationale, or a…

This document presents 1994 results of the Assessment of Achievement Programme, established by the Scottish Office Education and Industry Department to monitor performance of pupils in Scottish schools in particular areas of the curriculum. Samples of pupils were selected to be representative of pupils in all mainstream schools, whether education…

The purpose of this investigation was to develop a general framework for qualitatively analyzing the 1992 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) extended constructed-response questions. The framework dimensions were based on information about the NAEP extended questions and linked to important ideas in mathematics education and…

This module was designed to allow students to build or increase their level of understanding of geometry. It helps students develop those skills necessary to successfully understand and use basic geometry skills that are necessary for many vocational jobs and that act as a basis for additional understanding. The seven units include: (1)…

A computer program is given which will generate a list of descriptions of the items to which a student has responded incorrectly on the Keymath Diagnostic Arithmetic Test. It is designed for the TRS-80, Model III, with two disk drives. The documentation lists all required materials, describes the six options and how to use them, indicates the…

The effects of superficial gender-related item wording changes on the performance of male and female examinees were studied through mathematics; discrete English items; and an English passage created in neuter, male, and female gender versions. Units of items were administered to randomly equivalent samples of about 250 examinees taking American…

This booklet contains 11 modules (290 multiple-choice items) designed for use in the first course of a three-course calculus sequence using the textbook "Calculus with Analytic Geometry" (Dennis G. Zill). In each module, relevant sections of the textbook are identified for users. It can, however, be used in conjunction with any calculus textbook.…

A general assumption of most recent reports on high school education has been that only academic subjects relate to cognitive learning. Analysis of data for the seniors of the 1980 High School and Beyond data set indicates that completion of business courses by students not enrolled in academic courses also leads to cognitive achievement. (Author)

In this paper we study the effects of the threat of school vouchers and school stigma in Florida on the performance of "low-performing" schools using student-level data from a subset of districts. Estimates of the change in school-level high-stakes test scores from the first year of the reform are consistent with the early results used…

A study was conducted to investigate how differential item functioning (DIF) is associated with student characteristics such as gender and ethnicity for the total group and to understand the pattern and nature of existing group differences by conducting DIF analyses separately within gender and ethnicity. The research is unique in that it…

This document contains released reading comprehension passages, test items, and writing prompts from the Colorado Student Assessment Program for 2001. The sample questions and prompts are included without answers or examples of student responses. Test materials are included for: (1) Grade 4 Reading and Writing; (2) Grade 4 Lectura y Escritura…

Forest Grove High School (FGHS) is a suburban school in Oregon that implemented an extensive remediation program to increase the mathematics scores of its learners taking the state-mandated competency examination, the Oregon Statewide Assessment Test (OSAT). Learners who failed at least two of the mathematics sections of the 1998 OSAT, taken when…

Discusses the implications for teaching of the decision to permit use of graphics calculators in some Victorian Certificate of Education examinations. Also explores the impact of this decision on assessment in mathematics, argues that some amendments should be made to the policy, and looks ahead to the near future when students will have ready…

Examines relationships among tests for numerosity, measurement, and computational estimation, and recognizes tests for numerical facility and quantitative reasoning using principal components analysis. Identifies two components. The first component aligned computational estimation with numerical facility and general quantitative reasoning while…