The progress of students and schools in California is examined by reviewing the state's recent test history and the state's progress in creating a sound, standards-based assessment system. The story about California is mixed. Overall performance on the Stanford Achievement Test, ninth edition (SAT-9) shows that the state average, overall grades…

This paper considers the size of the marketplace for education testing. The discussion is focused on commercial standardized achievement tests produced for the elementary and secondary market, the "Elhi" market. A few testing companies now account for the bulk of the test sales in the Elhi market, but it is difficult to obtain exact…

The bond that links quality assessment and effective teaching is clarified for North Carolina teachers in the context of the state's continued emphasis on effective schooling. This manual begins a statewide effort to promote assessment literacy among educators. It is emphasized that no single type of assessment can meet all of the purposes of…

Volume 1 of the fall 1997 annual survey tabulates information about each state's assessment program during the 1996-97 school year. This volume contains the survey sent to state assessment directors, which was completed by representatives of all 50 states, and a summary table that lists the types of programs in each state. A list of state…

This report presents, in chart form, information about the accountability reports and indicator reports from each state. State education staff were asked to identify and update descriptions of all current state reports that provide accountability or educational indicator information for K-12 education. As of August 1999, all state agencies except…

North Carolina began implementing End of Course (EOC) tests in 1985-86, In 1998-99, student achievement for high school students was measured through results on the 10 required multiple choice EOC tests, the state's writing assessment, and the percentage of students who completed college preparatory courses of study. This report contains the…

This paper describes the intentions of educators and policymakers who implemented a new assessment strategy in Kentucky in 1991, along with its associated shortcomings and one notable success. The principle behind the assessment system was that rather than having an on-demand assessment that would inefficiently replicate the information that was…

In the 1996?1997 school year, the ABCs of Public Education was implemented as a comprehensive plan to reorganize public schools in North Carolina. The ABCs focus on accountability, on the basics and high educational standards, and on maximum local control. To encourage a strong academic emphasis, the state testing program emphasizes the basic…

Delaware students must meet world-class standards if they are to be competitive and successful in a global economy. To prepare students for their future, schools must support rigorous standards and each teacher must set high expectations. Students must also commit themselves to the achievement of excellence. Any system that hopes to accomplish…

A series of questions designed to challenge school administrators to reconsider the purposes, selection, use, and interpretation of tests and test results in their school programs. (Author/DN)

This article on open education and the direction it is taking is a kind of "state of the wave (movement)" message-a necessary caution not only for those moving along nicely with the current, but also for those who may already be over their heads and those who have yet to test the water. (Editor/RK)

Author feels that declining sAT scores are due in large part to a lack of student reading and experiencing books. (GE)

Retired vice-president of Educational Testing Service asserts that chances for tests being misused are greater than ever. Speech delivered at ETS's Invitational Conference on Testing Problems on October 28, 1972, in New York, New York. (DS)

Following a careful re-evaluation of the entire testing program by the students, parents, staff and administration it was concluded that the problems, the unmet educational needs, of an urban community will not dissipate by doing away with the state or local testing programs. (Author)

With the recent government regulations and emphasis on validity of all instruments used for selection and promotion, it appears that testing programs such as that described in this article are going to be essential factors in establishing effective and acceptable assessment centers. (Editor)