Presents a practical, flexible framework for teaching communicative competence. Examples of objectives, materials, activities, and testing procedures are from the first-year German courses at the University of Arizona but are largely applicable to foreign language instruction in general. (EKN)

The problems and competing claims within American education are discussed by the U.S. Secretary of Education Terrel H. Bell, including: creation science, textbook censorship, excellence in education, the value of testing, student financial aid, and the government's role in education. (Author/MLW)

The development of a low cost input system is discussed in terms of the appropriateness of imposing program-controlled answering strategies on candidates attempting a conventional multiple choice objective question achievement test. Systems used for the management of learning and strategies students use to answer tests are highlighted. (Author/EJS)

Contains 11 articles about educational testing focused on the topics of guidance and information management, student achievement, mathematics teaching/learning, test score interpretation, alternatives to standardized testing, evaluation of multicultural and exceptional children, learning/cognitive training assessment models, and "blue…

Philosophical, technical, and practical considerations in selecting and evaluating educational tests for exceptional children are discussed. The following major technical considerations are addressed: validity, reliability, sensitivity, appropriateness, objectivity, and feasibility. (SEW)

Presents special topics on ethical concerns in six articles on various counseling disciplines including ethics in theory and practice, group work, testing, counselor education, children, mental health work, legal issues, and psychotherapy. Suggests professional practitioners consider philosophical issues to enhance moral thinking and behavior.…

Discusses an adaptive diagnostic test used as part of an instructional program in signed-number arithmetic on the PLATO system. Findings indicated that differences in prior and subsequent instructional methods affected the learning of more advanced materials and produced lower achievement scores on posttests. Thirty-two references are listed. (MER)

An experiment investigated the extent to which the results of out-of-level testing may be biased because the child given an out of level test may have had a significantly different curriculum than the children given in-level tests. Item analysis data suggested this was unlikely. (CTM)

Thirteen evaluation methods are analyzed by orientation. Typically, clients want politically advantageous studies; evaluators prefer questions-oriented studies; audiences favor a values orientation. Evaluators must recognize the narrow scope of question-oriented studies and the perspectives of client and audience. (CP)

Purposes of this study were to (1) develop an instrument requiring several classification activities; (2) investigate the correlation between classification ability and intelligence scores of junior high school students (N=365); and (3) determine if classification ability differs with age and gender. Findings included a significant correlation…

Studies published since 1965 on the relationship between classroom behavior and academic achievement are reviewed. Criteria are established for selecting the studies, the research is assessed, and recommendations for future research are made. (MH)

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is a longitudinal study designed to measure changes in the knowledge, skills, and understandings of young Americans, ages 9, 13, 17, and 26-35. This overview discusses some special aspects of NAEP, and explains its history and governance. (MH) Aspect of National Assessment (NAEP) dealt with in…

Many states are turning to minimum-competency testing at the secondary school level. Although at least 17 states have enacted legislation that sets minimum-competency standards for graduation from public high schools, the basic skills testing movement at the postsecondary level is still in its infancy. (MLW)

A method for obtaining medical students' evaluations of multiple-instructor courses is described. Objectives of the evaluation method are: to increase response rate; to reduce administrative problems; to obtain evaluations at the time of the lecture; to avoid overburdening students; and to avoid confusion. (MH)

After reviewing some problems raised by Minimum Competency Testing (MCT), the authors present ideas on the role of the State Education Agencies in defining minimum competencies. Among the items discussed are the implementation time of MCT, curricular implications, the impact on children, the financing of remediation, and state versus local control…