This paper describes conventions in the scoring of classroom tests and of the achievement batteries used in school districts', testing programs in the U.S. The scales used for the Scholastic Aptitude Test and the American College Testing Program are described. Some new, criterion-referenced scales developed for state and national assessments are…

Reviews research that shows positive contribution of pictures to young children's recall of prose material and describes two experiments conducted with college graduate students to see if positive effects can be extended to older learners. Results after immediate and delayed testing show recall is improved for older learners as well. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of the potential of computers in education focuses on the need for experiential learning and developing creativity in students. Learning processes are explained in light of artificial intelligence research, problems with current uses of computers in education are discussed, and possible solutions using intelligent simulation software…

Describes statistical analyses of tests used for organic chemistry classes and attempts to pose a model to explain the results. Concluded that students who possess a slight grasp of a concept actually have less of a chance of answering an item correctly than those who merely guess. (CW)

Highlights ways community colleges have responded to demands for increased accountability through retention programs, placement testing, skills and goals assessment, learning laboratories and skill centers, and the use of computer technology to collect and analyze data on student outcomes and individualized instruction. (DMM)

Discussion of variables that affect successful completion of external degree programs focuses on a study that investigated the association between learning style and persistence among students from the University of Wisconsin System Extended Degree Programs. Literature on distance education is reviewed, and results of the study are analyzed. (35…

Explains the constructivist theory of knowledge and discusses the theory's implications for teaching remedial college students. Analyzes student performance on a college placement test to highlight the differences between how novices and experts process scientific or mathematical materials. Suggests a radical change in introductory algebra…

Examined relationship between advocacy of humanistic and confluent educational teaching values and nine humanistic, confluent patterns of classroom interaction. Describes the development and initial validation of a behavioral instrument, the Humanistic-Confluent Interactional Analysis Category System, for examining daily classroom interactive…

Discussion of need for improved mathematics education of preservice teachers focuses on a model program, the Mathematics Fitness Project, that includes a computer-generated testing system, management system, and remediation system. Use of the system to improve mathematics skills and attitudes of college students and post high school adults is…

Investigated capability of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) Verbal Comprehension (VC), Perceptual Organization (PO), and Freedom from Distractibility (FD) factor scores and student self-ratings of behavior to predict academic achievement in students referred for psychological evaluations due to learning and behavior…

Explores the relation of educational evaluation and quality, arguing that true educational improvement depends on public debate that regards evaluation and quality as indispensable partners. Reviews limitations of current achievement tests as accurate measures of student or teacher competency. Notes problems including subject matter restrictions,…

Looks at school-based assessment within a norm-referenced framework which replaced external examinations for all year levels of high school in Queensland (Australia) beginning in 1973. Suggests that changes have made little advance, have used an enormous amount of resources, but have acted as an impetus to examine assessment and curriculum. (PK)

To evaluate the effect of college experience on androgyny, 139 freshmen and 57 senior women completed the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI), and other tests. The results did not support the hypothesis that women become more masculine in college. However, the seniors did obtain significantly lower scores than freshmen on the BSRI Femininity scale.…

An analysis of the performance of 3,355 high school learning-disabled students on the State Student Assessment Test (part of Florida's minimum competency testing program) revealed that large numbers performed poorly on basic skills assessments. Less than half demonstrated mastery on 16 of 34 communication skills tested. (JW)

The hypothesis is examined that, in British Columbia, when variables measuring socioeconomic status, district resources, and basic district characteristics are controlled, no significant differences between aggregated student achievement will remain. Results suggest that districts are significant sources of achievement variation and that…