Two experiments investigated perceptual primacy of dimensional and similarity relations in stimulus classifications of younger and older subjects. Results support a differential-sensitivity view of perceptual development which asserts that individuals at all ages primarily perceive and use separate relations. (RWB)

The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children and Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) were administered to Anglo- and Mexican-American children aged four to six. Both scales measured similar, but not identical, intellectual and achievement factors, indicating concurrent validity. Anglo children scored higher on WPPSI verbal…

Reviews a number of tests that persons applying for engineering jobs may encounter including drugs, honesty, polygraph, personality and job skills tests. Discusses some problems with tests. Defines discrimination in hiring. States that job applicants usually will not take a test for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). (CW)

Presents the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) position statement and administrative and teacher guidelines on the selection, use, and interpretation of standardized tests in the testing of young children (ages three to eight years). (BB)

Itemizes several concerns for schools as they attempt to meet mandated assessment procedures in mathematics. Areas which are discussed include the amount of paper work, pupil transfer, parental involvement, staff changes, unmotivated pupils, pupil overload, storage space and the need for moderation. (PK)

This article describes study of the relative effectiveness of classroom faculty and librarians as book selection agents in a small urban commuter college located in Chicago, Illinois. Use of history section of collection, hypotheses tested, data collection and analysis, circulation activity, and comparative data are highlighted. Eight references…

Reports on survey studying the human-machine interface in Canadian university, public, and special libraries. Highlights include position category and educational background of 118 participants, participants' feelings toward automation, physical effects of automation, diffusion in decision making, interpersonal communication, future trends,…

The following data for 50 states of the United States were analyzed: Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) verbal, mathematics, and total scores; percentage of high school graduates taking the SAT; percentage of nonminority students; pupil teacher ratio; teacher salary; pupil expenditure; state expenditures for education; average income; and employment…

Asserts that currently accepted teacher competency tests are not valid and reliable measures of those qualities essential to effective teaching. Presents criteria that should be met by a valid assessment approach and, beyond competency assessment, stresses the need to improve the environment in which teachers function and students attempt to…

The National Education Association (NEA) asserts that precertification testing should be an important filter for guaranteeing that only competent candidates are certified to teach. However, NEA also stresses that all teacher education students must have equal opportunity and access to the resources required to produce quality teachers and is…

Traces the political history and the future political role of teacher competency testing nationwide. Focuses on the role of testing in the allocation of educational and employment opportunity. (GC)

Presents a model for an instructional system for low-achieving students, including such elements as proactive preenrollment, entry-level assessment and mandatory placement, basic skill development, articulation with subsequent courses, instructional prescriptions based on assessment, content-based instruction, exit testing, and student behavior…

Discusses the evolution of current decision support systems (DSS) computer software and their potential for use in assessing cognitive ability. Current applications of computer software for structured and unstructured problem solving are examined together with the feasibility of computerized adaptive testing. Characteristics of computer-based…

Examines the importance of levels of questioning and types of feedback in designing courseware for computer-based education. Test results are analyzed for four groups of high school students who completed different versions of a computer-based science lesson, and recommendations for future research are given. (Author/LRW)

The use of standardized achievement tests as the primary criterion measures in the evaluation of basic skills programs has been criticized. In a comparative study of three types of tests, this article examines the major issue behind this criticism. (Author/JAZ)