The steps discussed are (a) stating the purpose of the battery, (b) specifying performance objectives, (c) generating an item pool, (d) item analysis, (e) item selection, (f) determining cut-off scores, and (g) validating the battery. (MP)

Discusses the role of interactive computer-assisted testing (ICAT) as an adjunct to traditional methods of instruction in an introductory educational psychology course for students enrolled in a teacher education program. (Author/RAO)

Recent court cases have continued to support the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's employee selection guidelines. The EEOC Guidelines provisions upheld in "Albemarle Paper Co. v. Moody" are compared with the APA Test Standards and with APA Division 14's Personnel Selection Principles, and implications for employment testing are…

Replies to the immediately preceding article. (IRT)

All students except the mentally handicapped are required to show by examination that they are able to read, speak, and understand ordinary English; write a simple, correct, intelligible paragraph; and perform with reasonable mastery fundamental mathematical processes. (Author)

State-level assessment is necessary so that parents, communities, and the legislature can know the cost and the benefits of the educational system as a whole. (Author/MLF)

Discusses the role of English courses and examinations in vocationally oriented further education courses. (AA)

This study examined the extent of variation in national certificate examinations results among all secondary pupils, schools, and Educational Authorities (EAs) in Scotland. Results showed significant differences among the 16 EAs even after controlling for the effects of pupils' family backgrounds. Socio-economic status also influenced the…

Reviews some of the characteristics of the New York state social studies testing program and describes how new questions are developed for the test. (JDH)

Dental students at one school were placed in two groups and surveyed about their attitudes toward the testing program and themselves as operative dentists. The students in the experimental group participated in a self-assessment with computer-generated feedback. Results of both groups are compared. (Author/MLW)

Describes how the Allentown, Pennsylvania, public school district uses district-wide final examinations (along with some class-specific test items designed by teachers) to assess secondary school programs, provide "feedback" to teachers, and evaluate student mastery of learning objectives. (MCG)

Focusing on innovative forms of assessment in the United Kingdom, this article describes assessment strategies in mathematics, "oracy," science, and foreign languages. These strategies include not only problems in which students select a correct answer, but also practical problems in which students supply answers to open ended tasks.…

A response, by Carlson, to the National Commission on Excellence in Education's report proposes establishment of an independent agency. This entity, in conjunction with the National Assessment of Educational Progress, would define common content domains, develop calibrated normed item banks, and develop content referenced reporting systems. (DWH)

Describes a study conducted at DeKalb Community College to compare placement levels established by the college's in-house Reading, English and Mathematics (REM) Test with Scholastic Aptitude Test scores. Discusses REM placement levels and their course alignments, internal challenges to the placement levels, and correlation study findings. (DMM)

Details how England is reworking its secondary school examination system, replacing the GCE and the CSE with one examination system. (CRH)