A framework is provided for examining the validity of performance standards for high-stakes achievement tests. Assumptions that need to be evaluated are that the passing score corresponds to specified performance standards and that the specified standard is reasonable given the purpose of the decision. (SLD)

Several methods for determining a passing score on an examination from individual raters' estimates of minimal pass levels were compared through simulation. The methods used differed in the weighting estimates for each item received in the aggregation process. Reasons why the simplest procedure is most preferred are discussed. (SLD)

Explores one school district's reconsideration of a revised grading policy assigning differential point values to letter grades earned, based on course difficulty. A grading system called "Windows" was designed to preserve the advantages of a pass/fail system. Transcript analyses disclosed unpredictable shifts in class rank, penalties for…

Student evaluation methods (pass-fail vs. traditional grading) for Britain's honors curriculum are discussed. The British educational tradition concerning the honors degree is outlined, and the rationale for grading is examined. It is recommended that pass-fail grading based on specified learning outcomes be adopted for educational and practical…

This National Council on Measurement in Education module describes standard setting for achievement measures used in education, licensure, and certification. The purposes, design, and conduct of standard-setting procedures are reviewed, and ways to calculate a cutting score are demonstrated. A self-test and annotated bibliography are included.…

A sound performance evaluation system uses a multitude of assessment methods to gather information and data about the performance of an individual. Four models are described that have been used with multiple assessment results to make decisions about performance. In a compensatory model, weak performance on one measure or attribute can be traded…

The most useful method of item selection for making pass-fail decisions with a Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT) was studied. Medical technology students (n=86) took a computer adaptive test in which items were targeted to the ability of the examinee. The adaptive algorithm that selected items and estimated person measures used the Rasch model and…

The contrasting groups method is one of many possible methods for setting passing scores. The most commonly used method is probably that developed by W. H. Angoff (1971), but it has been suggested that the Angoff method may not be appropriate for many standard setting applications in education. The contrasting groups method is explored as an…

In 1989, the previously autonomous Melbourne (Australia) College of Advanced Education was incorporated into the existing Universiy of Melbourne Faculty of Education to form a new faculty, the Institute of Education. A grading procedure was developed at the Institute of Education to incorporate the College of Advanced Education's long tradition of…

The Test of Standard Written English (TSWE) is a 50-item multiple choice instrument designed to assess the ability of college students to use English. In this study, based upon a sample of 45 students, the TSWE was revalidated with writing samples. The coefficient of 0.54 was most impressive given that the TSWE scores were restricted to those…

Addressing the trend in American colleges and universities to award constantly higher grades each year, New College of Hofstra University has been studying the grading patterns over the past years. Grades awarded during the academic year 1975-76 have not changed significantly. They remained at B level. The percent of grades in each grade category…

Law schools traditionally have relied on the undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) and the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) to determine admission policies. The adoption by an increasing number of colleges and universities of pass-fail grading systems has some implications for the law school admission process. This statement examines some of the…

Surveyed are undergraduate grading practices and their impact on graduate admissions. A diversity of reasons are offered by the respondent universities and institutes for the dramatic rise in undergraduate grade-point averages since the mid-1960's. These speculations focus on changes in student and faculty behavior, innovations in grading systems,…

The concurrent criterion validity of a modified pass/fail grading system in a medical school was assessed. The investigators examined possible differences between honor society and nonhonor society students on three medical school entry variables and on medical board scores. (Author/JKS)