The issue covered in this paper involves accountability, an issue that has been discussed almost entirely in terms of adequate instruments for measuring learning and teacher effectiveness, rather than in terms of philosophical assumptions. (JD)

In a discussion of accountability and performance contracting, the author believes that within a couple of years, performance contracting in its present form will be seen as a rather primitive, simplistic approach to the practice of accountability, but the notion of accountability will continue to be a powerful influence on the educational scene.…

Paper compares a set of multi-item personality scales with a set of comparable example-anchored scales. (Authors/MB)

If empirical studies are to be scientific and of practical value, empirical measurement presupposes theories; these are normative in that they imply conceptions of culture and society. (Author/MB)

Four considerations that enhance the instructional importance of tests are content match, use of feedback, a flagging function, and the increasing tendency to attach sanctions and rewards to standardized test results. These sanctions are apt to force greater attention to the other three characteristics, strengthening the links between instruction…

Urges more active attempts to measure the impact continuing education/community service programs are having on the communities served. Calls for a review of priorities; emphasis on impact-measurable programs; and research on costs, funding sources, participant and recipient identification, changes within the community and effects on individuals.…

The findings in Volume I of the Committee on Ability Testing's report (see ED 213 770 and ED 213 771) are shown to be ambiguous regarding the meaning of ability, vague regarding test validity, and ingenuous regarding test uses and misuse. The neglect of the basic question of what tests measure is noted. (CM)

The author takes a critical look at the development, organization, personnel, and objectives of the Assessment of Performance Unit of England's Department of Education and Science. (SJL)

Focuses on objective techniques, a powerful and long-run force in educational assessment. But how successful have individual objective techniques been? This question must be answered for each test. Includes brief reference to an evaluation of one instrument. (Author)

School counselors need to understand survey methodology even if they do not use it as research practitioners. Counselors can be better consumers of survey research by noting response rates, sampling techniques, reliability and validity in research articles. (JAC)

Argues that teachers need to become "informed consumers" of standardized tests in order to influence decisions about test use and about ways to help students perform at their best. Six strategies for considering the content of a test form are presented. (LR)

Discusses methodological issues that may adversely affect the research process and impede understanding of Latinas, particularly those affected by AIDS. Gives suggestions for strengthening qualitative and quantitative methods when conducting research on Latinas. Describes the growing awareness of important clinical subgroup differences based on…

This article presents the author's rejoinder on commentaries of his article which illustrate the variety of perspectives with which people approach poverty measurement issues. Some of the comments highlight the theoretical concerns underpinning poverty measurement efforts, whereas others focus on empirical considerations. As a social scientist,…

The enactment of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) has pushed to the forefront the ever-present need to conduct high quality research and translate our research findings to practice by emphasizing evidence-based practices for schools and related settings. Currently, much of the discussion surrounding evidence-based practices has focused on defining…