The process of assessment in career and technical education (CTE) is changing significantly under the influence of forces such as emphasis on assessment for individual and program accountability; emphasis on the investigation of consequences of assessment; emergence of item response theory, which supports computer adaptive testing; and pressure…

Focus groups were used to examine the needs of students taking a computer adaptive math assessment. The assessment designed using universal design and item response theory. Focus groups included teachers, administrators, child advocacy groups, and 3rd grade students and parents from the following groups: students with disabilities, students in…

A comprehensive review was conducted of writing research literature and writing test program activities in a number of testing programs. The review was limited to writing assessments used for admission in higher education. Programs reviewed included ACT, Inc.'s ACT™ program, the California State Universities and Colleges (CSUC) testing program,…

Academic achievement under a four-day school week is compared to the traditional five-day school week. Test scores from the CAT [California Achievement Test], ITBS [Iowa Test of Basic Skills], TASK [Stanford Test of Academic Skills], SAT [Stanford Achievement Test], TAP [Tests of Academic Proficiency], and MAT [Metropolitan Achievement Test] were…

The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is the primary measure of student achievement applied to the grading of the Florida public schools. School grades utilize a point system in which schools are awarded one point for every percent of students: (1) scoring in achievement levels 3-5 in Reading; (2) demonstrating learning gains in…

This report summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of administering the Physical Education Assessment Report (PEAR) during its pilot year in Austin Independent School District (AISD).

Outlines recommendations for classroom teaching of English as a second language and the national language, Malay. It is noted that these recommendations are unlikely to be widely implemented as long as such external factors as a highly structured syllabus and an emphasis on written work remain in place. Khalid's response addresses the issue of…

Examines the usefulness of accountability measures for student achievement as empowerment tools for all students, providing examples from Native American schools. The paper posits the need for understanding current standardized testing, demonstrates how content currently tested can help increase the utility of instructional programs, and advocates…

Four simulated mathematical and verbal test forms were produced by test assembly procedures proposed in legislative bills in California and New York in 1986 to minimize differences between majority and minority scores. Item response theory analyses of data for about 22,000 black and 28,000 White high-school students were conducted. (SLD)

Provides of examples of performance-based assessments in three categories: (1) projects; (2) performances; and (3) question strategy sessions. Describes a typical performance-based assessment project including setting up the project, peer evaluation, the class presentation, and the test used. (CFR)

Discusses issues related to standardized testing and a national art curriculum. Maintains that cultural diversity among students makes valid and fair assessment difficult. Argues that teachers should be trained in the use of authentic assessment methods. (CFR)

Emphasizes the importance of providing some curriculum aspects in which students experience a sense of ownership. Compares the English National Curriculum with a national assessment instrument to determine which instructional methods are preferred. Speculates on potential routes into higher education for secondary students. (CFR)

Describes a study that provided innercity fourth grade African-American students in Texas with hardware to participate in a telecommunications network to determine whether participation would increase their scores on statewide fifth grade math tests. Time online, content of programs, connections between math and language arts, and student…

Forty-five boys and 45 girls in grades 5, 8, and 11 from schools for academically gifted students and 90 students in the same grades from regular schools described their uses of 14 self-regulated learning strategies and estimated their verbal and mathematical efficacy. Results support a triadic view of self-regulated learning. (SLD)

Fifteen ignominious episodes or recent trends in higher education for minorities and people of color are noted, including issues of affirmative action, testing, declining real value of financial aid, sex and racial discrimination, athletics, college administration, racial bias, and student misbehavior. (MSE)