Describes the evolution of a final examination for a writing course emphasizing the process approach, student conferences, and revision through successive drafts. Discusses student responses to the new exam format and includes one student's exam essay. (HTH)

Many studies have found that men have a higher level of economic understanding than women. Why such performance differences might matter for practical purposes is discussed. Results of a study which explored whether the gender differences found may be partly a result of the test instruments used are presented. (RM)

Alternatives to multidimensional scaling analysis of numerical relationship judgments in extracting information about students' knowledge were investigated. Undergraduate students completed a multiple choice test over knowledge of individual concepts, an essay test covering relationships among concepts, and a relationship judgment test that…

The essay test has the potential to remedy the discrepancy between announced course objectives and the objective test items that supposedly measure attainment of those objectives, according to the authors. Guidelines are provided for developing and administering essay tests. (Author/PGD)

The role of apprehension in the writing competency and writing performance of 110 college undergraduates was investigated. The hypotheses stated that high apprehensives would perform differently than low apprehensives on standardized tests and on two essay tests. The hypothesis for writing performance on standardized tests was confirmed, but the…

College students were assigned to either take their own personal notes or to use full or partial notes that were distributed in class. The use of personal or partial notes resulted in higher scores on the essay test, and students preferring personal notes scored higher on the multiple-choice exam. (Author/JN)

This investigation of the effect of stimulus environment design on the probability of desired attitude learning provides a rationale for attitudes as reinforcement or reward values and discusses the roles of human models, group discussion, simulation, visual and verbal mediations of experiences, frequency of exposure, media selection, and learning…

Amateurism is the authentic sporting spirit, the spirit of playful delight. The competitiveness and elitism of professional sports have a place in American life, but not on its school campuses, where coaches should emphasize true educational values: fitness, enthusiasm, morality, self-awareness, and self-mastery. (Author/SJL)

Educators are increasingly criticized because education's implicit promise of vocational success is unfulfilled. This attack is intensified by general public skepticism toward commoditized social services, which has become a political issue. Educators have difficulty responding to these challenges because, in claiming professional status, they…

This essay presents an overview of events and circumstances that contributed to California's property tax reform initiative. The consequences of Proposition 13 and its implications for the rest of the country are discussed. (EB)

This paper focuses on infants within a family system as specific sources of stress that may lead to child abuse. Current prevention efforts are assessed and potential prevention efforts are discussed. (Author/EB)

After a review of various nonmedical intervention procedures for child maltreatment, this paper examines specific, empirically evaluated psychological intervention treatments. Methodological and ethical issues concerning outcome research on maltreatment intervention are also discussed. (Author/EB)

Based on problems noted in essay writing among first year students in college-level sociology courses, the article explains a self-assessment program intended to enhance the educational benefits of essay writing. (Author/DB)

The author believes the essay is a good instrument for giving students practice in reading, thinking, and writing, and describes a model for scoring student essays. When using the model, judges ranked essays in similar order, thus allowing essay writing to become a reliable tool for developing basic skills. (KC)

Presents remarks on essay testing made by Edward M. White, an account of procedures for developing essay questions for the California State University and Colleges (CSUC) English Equivalency Examination, the 1974 essay scale with accompanying writing samples, and the questions and scale used in the 1975 test. (RL)