Communicative competence can be defined as the ability to function in a truly communicative setting, that is, in a dynamic exchange in which linguistic competence must adapt itself to the total informational input, both linguistic and paralinguistic, of one or more interlocutors. The research described in this book focuses on the development of…

This volume, one in a series in applied linguistics, is a concise handbook of testing theory and practice in foreign language instruction. Two broad categories, "prognosis" and the "evaluation of attainment," are treated in five major chapters, including: (1) prognostic measurement, (2) achievement measurement, (3) proficiency measurement, (4)…

Three tests were developed in the Canadore Comprehensive Achievement Monitoring (CAM) project in the area of mathematics. The Canadore CAM Monitoring Tests were used to obtain an estimate of knowledge of objectives on a preinstruction, postinstruction and retention basis. The Math Survey Tests were used to place a student at the appropriate point…

This symposium on the learning organization is comprised of three papers. "Leading the Learning Organization" (James R. Johnson) examines actions that four leaders of widely diverse organizations took to transform an organization into a learning organization. (Leaders who were successful in implementing the learning organization concept…

This article describes development of the Inventory for Assessing the Job-Readiness Skills of Students Placed in Alternative Classes. Introductory material notes the importance of on-the-job vocational experiences for secondary students with mild academic or behavioral disabilities. The inventory covers three domains, life skills, affective…

A new authentic performance-based approach to assessing problem solving was developed for use in vocational education and other programs in Australia. The process of developing the problem-solving assessment instrument and process included the following phases: (1) exploration of the theoretical conceptions of problem solving; (2) identification…

The literature on issues of the reliability and validity of objective and performance assessments in vocational education and training was reviewed and synthesized to develop guidelines for procedures to enhance reliability and validity. The review established the following facts: (1) validity is determined largely through inferences made by both…

An overview of empirical research conducted in Canada's core French language programs addresses eight major areas: (1) program characteristics and outcomes, (2) program supplements, (3) student characteristics, (4) enrollment influences, (5) teacher characteristics, (6) public opinion, (7) program implementation and administration, and (8)…

The validity of eight critical thinking tests developed for the Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) public schools was studied using scores from 100 students each in grades 5, 8, and 11 and questionnaire responses from teachers. Validity is discussed for providing diagnostic information, monitoring achievement, and influencing the curriculum. (SLD)

ACT conducts the only nationwide curriculum survey that empirically identifies current instructional practices and postsecondary expectations in order to develop tests that measure critical skills and knowledge. Every three years, it surveys thousands of middle school/junior high school, secondary, and postsecondary teachers in English/writing,…

Although accurate assessment of bullying is essential to intervention planning and the evaluation of bullying prevention programs, assessment has been called the "Achilles' heel" of bullying research (Cornell, Sheras, & Cole, 2006). Problems have been cited about variations in definitions and time frames used, whether or not to…

Much has been written about the value of metacognition. However, little research has identified subsumed intellectual factors, logical operators, and cognitive functions; or has established clear relationships between metacognition and science cognition. This paper presents a study to build a strategic metacognitive model of an efficient,…

Five papers in diverse areas of linguistics in education are presented. "Second Language Learning through Interaction: Multiple Perspectives" (Teresa Pica) looks at the variety of theoretical approaches to interaction in second language learning, and how an interactionist perspective lends weight to a number of theories.…

As part of a substance abuse prevention project, a measure was developed in both English and Spanish to measure levels of acculturation among members of a Latino youth population for later comparison of acculturation with high-risk behaviors. The Latino Youth Acculturation Scale (LYAS) consists of 23 items. Eleven items deal with language use of…

The Korean Society for Educational Evaluation is described, and the national college entrance examination used in Korea is discussed. The Korean Society for Educational Evaluation exists to promote exchange of academic information among members on measurement, statistics, research methodologies, and evaluation. The Society publishes a journal and…