The first author set out to design and secure funding for an hypothesis-based program in a public school setting. The natural history of what happened to that study as it proceeded from design, to funding, to actual implementation, to final reporting serves as the case history of two idealistic evaluators' wildest nightmares. (Author)

The proposition that Appalachian religion persists because it is performing a significant function as a mechanism helping the adjustment of people who due to modern changes, have become dislocated socially, economically, and psychologically was tested. Religiosity was defined on the basis of 4 variables: (1) religious beliefs; (2) need to use…

This pamphlet discusses the need for reliable standardized tests for the selection and classification of Welsh-dominant students in Wales and for the evaluation of their language skills. Because of the correlation in performance, the standardized word-recognition test described here applies to predominantly Welsh-background individuals and not to…

A procedure for predicting categorical outcomes using categorical predictor variables was described by Moonan. This paper describes a related technique which uses prior probabilities, updated by joint likelihoods, as classification criteria. The procedure differs from Moonan's in that the outcome having the greatest posterior probability is…

This study empirically determined the optimizing weight to be applied to the Wrongs Total Score in scoring rubrics of the general form = R - kW, where S is the Score, R the Rights Total, k the weight and W the Wrongs Total, if reliability is to be maximized. As is well known, the traditional formula score rests on a theoretical framework which is…

The proceedings of the 1974 Educational Testing Service Invitational Conference on Moral Development are included in this document. Six presentations cover a wide range of topics concerning the nature of moral development, the predominant educational philosophies in the schools, the distinctions between cognitive understanding of moral dilemmas…

The Mastery-Learning test model is extended. Methods for estimating prior probabilities are described. The use of an adjustment matrix to transform a probability of mastery measure and empirical methods for estimating adjustment matrix parameters are derived. Adjustment matrices are interpreted as indicators of instructional effectiveness and as…

The application of conventional psychometric procedures to instructional product development is outlined. Selected non-psychometric requirements of developing and delivering effective instruction are described and the consequent implications for psychometric procedures set forth. Present instructional development technology is circumscribed in…

A 40-item flexilevel test and a 40-item conventional test were compared using data obtained through (1) computer-administration of the two tests to three groups of college students, and (2) monte carlo simulation of test response patterns. Results indicated the flexilevel score distribution better reflected the underlying normal distribution of…

The manual presents a technology of instructional design and a model for developing and conducting efficient and cost effective Air Force instructional systems. Chapter 1 provides an overview of Instructional System Development (ISD). Chapters 2-6 each focus on a step of the process: analysis of system requirements; definition of…

Ohio's Statewide Needs Assessment is designed to provide baseline data about students' learning in cognitive areas. Over several years, students at various grade levels will be assessed. The areas to be assessed, as well as the grades of the students to be assessed, will be considered and advised upon by the ESEA Title III State Advisory Council.…

While much has been written on the topic of criterion-referenced testing and consequently its comparison with norm-referenced testing, measurement specialists have not as readily approached the subject of the implications involved in reporting such test information. The purposes of this paper are to (1) draw distinctions between criterion and…

At issue in this case is the validity of specified uses by North Carolina of the National Teacher Examinations (NTE), a standardized testing program produced and administered by Educational Testing Service. This brief amicus curiae is designed to assist the Court in distinguishing among the valid and inappropriate uses of the NTE and the different…

This study investigated correlations between the Qualitative score of the Porteus Maze Test and age and rates of recidivism of correctional institution inmates. In addition, the study was structured to provide answers to the following questions: (1) Is there a relationship between age and rates of recidivism and the Conformity-Variability score of…

Assessment exercises (items) in three different formats--multiple-choice with an "I don't know" (IDK) option, multiple-choice without the IDK, and open-ended--were placed at the beginning, middle and end of 45-minute assessment packages (instruments). A balanced incomplete blocks analysis of variance was computed to determine the biasing…