Innovations in testing and guidance which can integrate assessment to facilitate learning, help develop practical wisdom in behavior, and correct students' faulty cognitions in career decisions are described. (CM)

Discusses the value of standardized tests in providing useful measurement of career education programs and presents advantages of standardized over locally prepared tests in many instances. Includes test selection consideration and some resources for test selection. (MF)

Minimum Competency Testing for high school students is discussed with regard to its development, use, potential, and administration. Various suggestions are presented to help teachers and administrators use the test results more effectively and minimize student and parental fears that low test scores will constitute a barrier to a high school…

The article contrasts North American and Soviet views and approaches to student evaluations, especially in the area of testing differences in academic achievement. It provides a brief summary of Soviet schooling and evaluative procedures. (Author/SB)

Provides some suggestions for testing handicapped learners using essay and objective tests. Sources for audiotapes of textbooks and supplementary readings for visually impaired students are also indicated. (CMV)

In criticizing the report of the National Academy of Education Panel on Testing and Basic Skills, "Improving Educational Achievement," the author addresses the same eight policy-related questions the panel examined. (IRT)

Findings here indicate that an inventory can be constructed for a wide age range of elementary school children which can predict creativity. GIFT is easy to administer and score, and correlates with a composite creativity criterion, art teacher nominations, and scores on a Uses test. (Author/RK)

Attempts to evaluate the effect of various combinations of traditional instructional methods (TM) and personalized instruction (PSI) on final exam scores. It is hypothesized that groups which received PSI combined with enrichment provided by TM will score significantly higher on their cumulative final exam than students who receive instruction by…

The uses and abuses of cut scores are examined. The article demonstrates (1) that cut scores always entail judgment; (2) that cut scores inherently result in misclassification; (3) that cut scores impose an artificial dichotomy on an essentially continuous distribution of knowledge, skill, or ability; and (4) that no true cut scores exist. (SLD)

Testing can be a time-consuming and tedious method of evaluation. This article suggests methods which don't take additional classroom time or turn students off, and which provide more immediate and constructive feedback than routine testing. (IAH)

Describes results of research by the Test User Qualifications Working Group that can be applied to improving testing practices, including 86 test use competencies and 7 factors accounting for misuse; a test classification system; and empirically based test purchaser qualification forms. (SLD)

Three national educational organizations articulated seven areas of teacher competency in student assessment. Among 555 teachers surveyed nationwide, the area of best performance was "administering, scoring, and interpreting test results," and the area of worst performance was "communicating test results." Development of…

Discusses authentic assessment of student performance as it relates to academic improvement and educational reform. Points out that there is too much testing of basic knowledge and skills out of context, and too little teaching of complex concepts. (MMU)

This article invokes a literal image of test givers as measurement devices and explores the psychometric properties of these test administrator instruments. Concurrent and content validation and test-retest and parallel-forms validity are explored. (SLD)

Considers how in these times of increased focus on standards and accountability, it is important to understand the views of the various participants. Begins with a brief history of the testing movement in Texas. Reports findings from a study on the negative effects of high stakes testing. Concludes with suggestions to minimize these effects on…