This study tests the hypothesis that optimum testing style will result in more efficient test performance by 4-year-olds, thus diminishing differences between scores of lower class children who have and have not attended enrichment programs. A review of the literature discusses the effects of testing situation variables, language differences,…

Part I of this report attempts to describe the system that was developed for local educational agencies by the Delaware State Department of Public Instruction to support classroom and curricular improvement in mathematics through the administration of an objective-referenced test in mathematics to grade four students. This system includes the…

The paper outlines several studies over a two-year period to develop a self-report and observer-rating measure of sensitivity/encounter group outcome. The initial form of the scale was taken from McMillan (1971) who developed a measure of 16 categories of group outcome; McMillan's work indicated the scale had high reliability. Subsequent study…

The main purpose of this paper is to draw attention to some facts and ideas that perhaps can help to identify problems or fields for development and research within the evaluation of training. Topics for group discussion are preceded by material on some basic concepts of evaluation and educational measurement. The ratio scale, the interval scale,…

Analyses preparatory to construction of a suitable file for generating a system of future performance trend indicators are described. Such a system falls into the category of a current value approach to human resources accounting. It requires that there be a substantial body of data which: (1) uses the work group or unit, not the individual, as…

Reviews the status of and beliefs underlying the process of foreign language oral proficiency testing in the United States, including consideration of academic and nonacademic approaches to testing; the status of foreign language study; the need for foreign language speakers; and the reliability and validity of several tests used to assess foreign…

Two native and one non-native (Japanese) instructors of English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) corrected free compositions written by a Japanese college graduate with a degree in English. Analysis of the corrections revealed marked differences in type and number, with the non-native speaker most frequently indicating difficulty with articles, word…

Explored the reliability and validity for four self-report anxiety scales: the Test Anxiety Scale for Children, the Alpert-Haber Achievement Anxiety Scale for Children, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, and a newly developed Reading Anxiety Scale. Conclusions are drawn regarding the use of these scales with minority-group…

Examines the Decoding Skills Test (DST), a criterion referenced, diagnostic instrument designed to identify deficiencies in word decoding. (JC)

Two studies of third- through sixth-grade low-achievers (N=83) and 26 third-graders (some receiving special education services) compared traditional standardized achievement tests and alternative curriculum-based measures. Results indicated that curriculum-based measures were more sensitive in assessing student progress in reading and writing and…

Discusses the gender differences revealed on the science content items of the National Assessment of Educational Progress Science Assessment. Examines explanations for the differences, including differential prior instruction, differential response to uncertainty, differential response to figurally presented items, and different attitudes toward…

Investigates the reliability and validity of tests that have been used to operationalize the concept of phonemic awareness. Indicates that a combination of two tests, one related to each factor, has greater predictive validity for the beginning steps in reading acquisition than does one test alone. (JK)

Describes a conversation measure for evaluation communicative competence of deaf adolescents and adults in light of: 1) the rationale behind its development; 2) its independence of the subjects' language variety; and 3)its use in a study of 40 deaf adolescents. The interview protocal is give in the Appendix. (Author/LMO)

Questions the validity and reliability of the Reading/Everyday Activities in Life (R/EAL) test, which is intended as a self-administered, self-directed, and self-paced test of basic literacy for minority populations and others traditionally singled out by the bias of standardized reading achievement tests. (SRT)

The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale Classroom Edition and the American Association on Mental Deficiency Adaptive Behavior Scale School Edition were completed by teachers of 44 moderately and severely mentally retarded students; their parents (N=37) completed the Vineland Interview Edition-Survey Form. Comparison between the scales and respondents…