Discusses the Mabar experiment underway at WIZO High School in Rehovot, Israel. The experiment aims to make Bagrut exams accessible to students thought incapable or uninterested in taking the exam. (CK)

Describes the construction and small-scale implementation of a computer program that can be used on a self-access basis to assess English-as-a-Second-Language listening proficiency. The test involves an extended dictation in dialog form. Results indicate a good correlation with traditional pen-and-paper tests and suggests that the concept has…

A study investigated 292 British university students' attitudes about continuous assessment (formative evaluation) and examinations (summative evaluation). In many respects, students felt continuous assessment to be fairer and to measure a greater range of abilities. Responses varied by age and gender. Overall, students felt continuous assessment…

Discusses the development of the Adaptive Testing Linguistic Achievement Significance (ATLAS) test used to evaluate second language proficiency of Belgian civil servants. Notes that testers encountered various problems caused by the complexity of language, the difference in background of the candidates and the absence of official objective test…

Describes "Diagnosys," a knowledge-based computer diagnostic test of basic mathematical skills developed in the United Kingdom for university students. Highlights include the need for diagnostic testing; the advantages of a computer-based test; question design; and possible future developments. (Author/LRW)

Compares the predictive and concurrent validities of a learning efficiency test with that of another test. Memory factor scores of the learning efficiency test correlated significantly with the other test's scores, with class grades, and with actual grade-level functioning in reading. The learning efficiency test's validity compares favorably to…

Considers the possible relations among instruction, content, and assessment. Presents a rationale for and examples of demonstration-based testing activities. Highlights student performance and reaction to these assessment methods. Contains 13 references. (JRH)

Tests cognitive assessment of 180 students enrolled in a cornerstone course in communication theory. Finds that a profile of factors that influence cognitive assessment scores can be developed. Demonstrates how assessment may be used to empower both faculty and students by offering pedagogical and administrative strategies that enhance student…

Compared the effectiveness of three different learning strategies on Korean English-as-a-Foreign-Language learners' vocabulary comprehension: context, semantic mapping, and word lists. University students were randomly assigned to one of three treatments of vocabulary instruction and examined on various levels of vocabulary knowledge using three…

Discusses the role of music education as an intervention for at-risk urban students. Explains that the students received mentoring and participated in performance groups. Measures student perceptions and gathered data on student attitudes through structured interviews. Reports that music and music teachers are important in student lives. (CMK)

This article examines the undesirable social and vocational ramifications associated with the use of a single high-stakes test to assess the academic proficiencies of students with disabilities and the present discriminatory nature of the required performance on one standardized exam. Alternative assessments are discussed. (Contains references.)…

Presents findings from a small-scale experiment investigating the presentation of a synchronous, Web-based remote electronic exam in a distance education course. Discusses student experiences based on a questionnaire; time pressures; technical issues; differences between the structure of an electronic exam and a paper-based exam; and future work,…

Describes a study that seeks to confirm several key factors in computer-based versus paper-based assessment. Based on earlier research, the factors considered in this study of undergraduates include content familiarity; computer familiarity; competitiveness; and gender. Reports results of analysis of variance that showed the computer-based test…

Notes that students' legitimate expectations of privacy and school officials' need to maintain school discipline and safety often collide. Outlines guidelines for searching in the following instances: student lockers; drug dogs; student trips; strip searches; and urinalysis. Suggests that training for all administrators, faculty, and staff in the…

FACETS many-facet Rasch analysis software was utilized to look at two consecutive administrations of a large-scale second language oral assessment in the form of a peer group discussion task with Japanese English-major university students. Results are discussed. (Author/VWL)