This Research Review mentions that, although few tests are designed specifically for junior colleges, 85 percent of junior college reading programs use standardized reading tests for diagnostic purposes. Many colleges require that students who score below a pre-determined level on college placement or reading exams be placed in developmental or…

READNEED research was concerned with the development of methodologies for determining reading requirements of Army Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs). Three approaches for assessing MOS literacy demands are described: (a) analysis of readability of Army MOS materials using a newly developed readability formula calibrated on Army personnel…

Some aspects of the results from IEA studies of reading are discussed. The instruments used in the studies were a reading comprehension test of the conventional type and a short reading speed test. The studies were conducted with 10- and 14-year-olds and individuals in the last year of secondary school. A supplementary measure, Same-Opposite…

A testing model is developed for teachers in multiracial classes in British schools who want to assess their pupils' proficiency in using English for learning, thinking, and communicating. The model serves as a framework for the design and administration of tests for communicative competence in foreign and second languages. (SCC)

Article discusses 11 significant trends and how they affected or might affect the teaching of reading. (Author/RK)

Intermediate-level English as a second language students were examined for levels of reading comprehension. Half of each group (experimental and control) received more complete versions of test passages than the other half, and the experimental group was taught appropriate cultural background information between tests. Background knowledge did…

Offers a model of assessment for disabled readers that yields information not only about current performance but also about the potential for learning. (FL)

Four experiments were conducted to determine the effects on decoding mistakes and comprehension of text passages at fastest and slowest reading rates. Subjects included 181 Israeli first graders and 60 American first graders. Subjects reading at their normal maximum speed averaged fewer errors and higher comprehension. (Author/LMO)

Summarizes the benefits and limitations of the use of story grammars in the elementary reading classroom. Provides suggestions for implementation in the classroom. (ARH)

Reading comprehension is often tested by teachers through verbal questioning of students on a literal, interpretive, or evaluative level. The drawbacks of this method are that it often doesn't develop understanding or require interpretation. Presents an example of how to develop thinking and comprehension through a questioning strategy focused on…

Extent of curriculum bias was analyzed using seven standardized and criterion-referenced reading achievement tests. Bias was examined relative to five commercial reading programs at the third-grade level. Results indicated that the degree of bias varied widely depending on the specific test and program used for reading instruction. (Author/ABB)

Multiple-choice reading comprehension items from a conventional, norm-referenced reading comprehension test were successfully analyzed using a simple latent class model. Results support the use of latent class, state mastery models with more heterogenous item pools than has been previously advocated. (Author/PN)

Indicates that certain items in reading comprehension tests are not measuring for hearing impaired students the particular reading skill they are intended to measure. Argues for a word/idea association strategy as the explanation for this and briefly discusses its relevance for testing and educating the hearing impaired. (FL)

Concludes that the PDIL (the Spanish version of the Test of Early Language Development) should be used with caution. Since its reliability and validity were determined with the English language version, the method used to translate test items may have some ambiguities, and some illustrations on picture cards may not be culturally appropriate for…

Argues that colleges can use Verbal SAT scores to place freshmen in reading courses when comprehension measures are not available. (HOD)