In assessing the quality of science teaching for an effort such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), it is important to understand what is meant by scientific thinking--the search for explanations. Instruction should involve higher-order cognitive skill development, but it is difficult to measure reasoning and understanding…

In response to informal reports that the time limitations on the new 1978 test forms of the General Educational Development (GED) Tests resulted in some examinees having to work substantially faster than at a comfortable rate, this study was designed (1) to estimate the time required for examinees to complete the tests at their preferred rate; (2)…

This report presents the performance for school district categories and for individual school districts on the third grade Texas Educational Assessment of Minimum Skills (TEAMS) test. The Grade 3 criterion-referenced test contained three sections: mathematics, reading, and writing. Testing was conducted during February 1986. The report is in two…

This report presents the performance for school district categories and for individual school districts on the fifth grade Texas Educational Assessment of Minimum Skills (TEAMS) test. The Grade 5 criterion-referenced test contained three sections: mathematics, reading, and writing. Testing was conducted during February 1986. This report is in two…

This report presents the performance for school district categories and for individual school districts on the ninth grade Texas Educational Assessment of Minimum Skills (TEAMS) test. The Grade 9 criterion-referenced test contained three sections: mathematics, reading, and writing. Testing was conducted during February 1986. This report is in two…

The Prefreshman Summer Program for academically and economically handicapped students at the City University of New York (CUNY) was evaluated in 1985 and compared to previous evaluations. The voluntary, 6-week transitional program provides intensive basic skills instruction, tutoring, counseling, and financial aid to incoming students who fail to…

Designed to meet legislative requirements of the state of Nevada, the course of study for elementary school students presented in this guide establishes common goals for average students, which are to be adopted and followed by each school district. The course offers a foundation upon which local school districts can build curricula that are…

This guide is designed to provide teachers with guidelines and suggested activities for teaching a one-semester advanced programming course--BASIC Programming II--for the ninth through twelfth grades. Although primarily oriented toward mathematics, the guide does offer sample applications in business that also address the needs of students with a…

A number of issues involved in the large-scale assessment of science and mathematics education were illustrated during the conduct of two national surveys: the 1977 National Survey of Science, Mathematics, and Social Studies Education and the 1985 National Survey, Science and Mathematics Education. Development of the survey questionnaires started…

This study of the effects of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) on the academic achievement of educationally disadvantaged students in grades 2 through 8 in four urban schools tested three hypotheses: (1) supplementary CAI programs are significantly more effective than non-CAI supplementary instruction approaches for disadvantaged students; (2)…

This report on trends in school improvement test results presents an analysis and synthesis of 1978-1984 student performance data from four state-mandated testing programs: (1) the Educational Quality Assessment Program in Pennsylvania; (2) the Minimum Basic Skills Program in New Jersey; (3) the Delaware Educational Assessment Program in Delaware;…

This study examined differences in predicting achievement by sex on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) from the verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal scores on the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). The sample (n=10,000) consisted of all students in Grades 2, 5, and 8 who completed both tests in fall 1984. Examinations of means and standard…

This article describes the placement testing program, the use of microcomputer software for scoring and analyzing test results, and the integration of the computerized test results into a comprehensive microcomputer-based student information system at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). UCI offers placement tests in five academic fields:…

This paper focuses on the questions which arise as test practitioners monitor score scales derived from latent trait theory. Large scale assessment programs are dynamic and constantly challenge the assumptions and limits of latent trait models. Even though testing programs evolve, test scores must remain reliable indicators of progress.…

Mathematics anxiety and its relationship to other constructs was studied in 138 preservice elementary and special education teachers. The students, primarily women, were enrolled in a variety of professional courses and field experiences. Five instruments were administered, their factor structures were determined, and intercorrelations among the…