The research study examined whether a difference existed between the reading achievement scores of an experimental group and a control group in standardized reading achievement. This difference measured the effect of systematic oral reading fluency instruction with repeated readings. Data from the 4Sight Pennsylvania Benchmark Reading Assessments…

This paper presents the assessment and item specifications for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2009 mathematics assessment. "Chapter Two" contains descriptions of the five major content areas of mathematics (Number Properties and Operations, Measurement, Geometry, Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability, and…

Two competing structural models for the revised Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) were examined. The test developers promote a model related to three uncorrelated components of strategic learning: skill, will, and self-regulation. Other investigators have shown empirical support for a three-factor correlated model characterized by…

A model for the setting of mastery cut scores is presented. The model, based on the beta-binomial test distribution, allows for hand calculation of cut scores. The model provides a simple way to explore the consequences of selecting a particular cut score. (Author/JKS)

Seven papers on technical and practical issues in equating are presented. Problems related to the use of conventional and item response theory equating methods, using pre- and post-smoothing to increase equipercentile equating's precision, and linear equating models for common-item nonequivalent-population design are discussed. (SLD)

Discusses, for the benefit of research workers and other test users, the ongoing controversy concerning the relative merits of conventional test theory and Rasch scaling in the construction of reading tests. Concludes that a great deal of further research is required to see whether these approaches are educationally valid. (JD)

This article evaluated criticisms by Stevens and Aleamoni (1986) of an article by Gardner and Erdle (1984) on aggregation using either raw or standard scores. It was demonstrated that their criticisms were unfounded. (Author)

The development of a nonparametric K-sample test for equality of slopes using Puri's generalized L statistic is presented. The test is recommended when the assumptions underlying the parametric model are violated. This procedure replaces original data with either ranks (for data with heavy tails) or normal scores (for data with light tails).…

For measuring the face validity of a test, Nevo suggested that test takers and nonprofessional users rate items on a five point scale. This article questions the ability of those raters and the credibility of the aggregated judgment as evidence of the validity of the test. (JAZ)

The purpose of the present paper is to derive linear equating methods for the common item nonequivalent populations design from explicitly stated congeneric type test score models. The equating methods developed are compared with previously developed methods and applied to five professionally constructed examinations administered to approximately…

A computer program randomly sampled ordered pairs of scores from known populations that departed from bivariate normal form and calculated correlation coefficients from sample values. Hypotheses were tested (1) that population correlations are zero using the t statistic; and (2) that population correlations have non-zero values using the r to z…

Section pre-equating (SPE) equates a new test to an old test prior to the actual use of a new test by making extensive use of experimental sections of a testing instrument. SPE theory is extended to allow for practice effects on both the old and new tests. (Author/BS)

Results obtained when a procedure for assessing the questions on uniersity mathematics examinations to see what skills were needed for their solution are given for a sample of 1400 questions set during 1976 in 10 British universities. The method is a way of focusing rational argument. (MNS)

A simplification of Lord and Wingersky's method for computing the asymptotic variance-covariance matrix of maximum likelihood estimates for item and person parameters under some restrictions on the estimates is presented. Computation of the error variance-covariance matrix for the item parameters in the Rasch model is described. (NSF)

Argues that IQ tests work only for some people some of the time. Offers a theory that emphasizes the roles in intelligence of information-processing, the environmental context, and coping with novelty and automatization of task performance, as a possibility for improving levels of prediction. (CMG)