The factors which led to the National Educational Assessment Program are discussed, and the likelihood of its serving the purposes intended is evaluated. (DB)

Students prefer a pass-fail system to letter grading. (IR)

Describes practical methods for designing courses and measuring student growth. Indicates the importance of clear course objectives and suggests techniques to assist in guiding student nurses to an acceptable level of competence. (JOW)

Discusses the potential of a test to instruct students and thus facilitate their learning. The author shows various ways of giving a carefully prepared test on a second occasion. (RM)

Argues in favor of using assessment and achievement tests in the English curriculum. Points out the positive effects of testing. (RL)

A procedure is described for determining the minimal length of a mastery test given certain constraints. The procedure assumes that the testor is indifferent to misclassifying some testees who score within a specified range about the passing score. An example and table are provided. (JKS)

Suggests that members of the educational measurement community are at least in part responsible for the fact that many U.S. children are receiving a reduced quality education because of the increasing misuse of educational tests. Assessment personnel have failed to speak out against the use of tests to assess school quality. (SLD)

Extrapolates from existing case law on educational testing to the likely ways in which school accountability systems may be challenged in the courts. Also offers a list of recommended actions for accountability system developers. (SLD)

Discusses different views and understandings of science assessment among stakeholders (policy makers, psychometricians, school administrators, parents, teachers, and students). Looks at science testing and assessment from the 1950s to the late 1990s. Considers high stakes testing. Argues that more authentic and appropriate forms of assessment,…

Traces the history of the International Test Commission (ITC), reviewing the context in which it was formed, its goals, and major milestones in its development. Suggests ways the ITC may continue to impact test development positively, and introduces this inaugural journal issue. (SLD)

As a principal facing the task of figuring out all the complexities of the No Child Left Behind legislation, Kenneth Remsen, has concluded there is a strong belief that testing students is the answer to bringing about improvements in student performance. Because testing seems to be a cornerstone to improving performance, he doesn't understand why…

Educational game designs must balance the often conflicting values of game designers, instructional designers, and content experts. In order to reach this balance, however, colleagues should adopt development strategies that already inform the design of commercial computer games. Commercial game designers recognize that great games are not created…

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) created the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) in 1965 and over the years it has become a staple of American higher education. In order to better understand the ramifications of the CLEP program, this article provides a brief history of CLEP and reexamines some of the findings of earlier research. The…

Authentic assessment is a growing alternative to conventional testing. This research-to-practice article describes a framework for implementing authentic assessment. The R-E-A-L framework shows how roles, equipment, assessment tools, and location can be incorporated into early childhood practices.