In the last of a series of three publications for improving assessment of student achievement in home economics courses, modules of learning objectives and related test items are provided to help teachers develop more valid and reliable measurement materials and assessment procedures. The samples are geared to state-approved courses of study. The…

The study investigated the effect of "item density" on item difficulty in passage-related language tests. Item density refers to the number and frequency of items in relation to clear text. The format used was a passage with underlinings to signal the language situations out of which the items were constructed. American College Testing…

A major deficiency in classical test theory is the reliance on Pearson product-moment (PPM) correlation concepts in the definition of reliability. PPM measures are totally insensitive to first moment differences in tests which leads to the dubious assumption of essential tan-equivalence. Robinson proposed a measure of agreement that is sensitive…

Hoyt's analysis of variance procedure for estimating reliability assumes that the residual mean square estimates error variability. If, however, an individual's true score varies across items, it is argued that residual mean square estimates two components--error and interaction--and hence Winer's modification of Hoyt's formula, understimates the…

This discussion of the results of the mathematical Olympiad contains the average scores on each of the five problems, the winner of the Olympiad, and the Olympiad problems. (MP)

A procedure for obtaining Rasch model estimates of item difficulty and of ability is detailed. The procedure approximates the optimal but difficult to obtain "unconditional" estimates. (JKS)

Option weighting is an alternative to increasing test length as a means of improving the reliability of a test. The effects on test reliability of option weighting procedures were compared in two empirical studies using four independent sets of items. Biserial weights were found to be superior. (Author/CTM)

Provides recommendations to aid teachers (elementary and secondary) in planning tests, constructing item types (essay, short answer, true-false, or other alternate response, matching, multiple-choice), administering tests, scoring tests, analyzing tests, and using test results. (KH)

Data were collected from 117 college students to examine the validity of the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale. Two assumptions were generated from the results: (1) most items on the scale are correlated with the subject's total score and (2) most items are not correlated with the subject's age. (CH)

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…

The purpose of this paper is to propose a general multicomponent latent trait model (LTM) for response processes. It combines the linear logistic LTM with the multicomponent LTM. Joint maximum likelihood estimators are presented for parameters of the general multicomponent LTM and an application to cognitive test items is described. (Author/BW)

The microcomputer version of the Ohio Vocational Interest Survey (OVIS II) differs from the machine-scored version in its ability to incorporate data from the OVIS II:Career Planner in its printed report. It differs from the hand-scored version in its ability to include data from the OVIS II:Work Characteristic Analysis in its printed report.…

Suggests that the English-as-a-foreign-language field would benefit by using the same types of tests as those of "Graded Objectives in Modern Languages," which are used in British schools to test foreign language learning. Presents test items which are typical of the British tests. (SED)

A supplementary treatment is proposed which helps identify sources of bias affecting groups of test items. This treatment is illustrated with the tranformed item-difficulty method as applied to an evaluation of a test used to help select applicants to be admitted to an aviation training program. (Author/BW)