Discusses the shortcomings of the Snellen eye chart as a vision screeing test and proposes the use of a newer test--the Modified Telebinocular Technique. (MTT)

Analyzes the effects of selected deletion patterns, blank conditions, and scoring modes on the cloze test performance of sixth-grade students. (FL)

Discusses validation studies of three British English language proficiency tests--the English Proficiency Test Battery, the English Language Battery, and the English Language Testing Service. Concludes that valid language tests depend on test constructors' knowledge of language and on their judgment as to the parameters of language proficiency.…

A study involving undergraduate college students enrolled in an introductory psychology course showed that test item arrangement by difficulty or by order of content presentation has no effect on total achievement test score. The data also fail to demonstrate any influence of test item order on student perception of test difficulty. (RM)

Research shows that many students entering teacher education programs are deficient in writing skills. This article focuses on how to develop, administer, and score a writing sample. (Author/CB)

The effect of using separate answer sheets on a standardized test was investigated by administering the test and requiring children to either answer in the test booklet, use an answer sheet without prior practice, or use an answer sheet with practice sessions. Significant effects on test scores are examined. (Author/MT)

Interactive effects of item difficulty, test anxiety, and failure feedback are examined in a study using multiple choice verbal aptitude items. Results indicate that ability estimates can be affected by the examinee's improved performance, especially for students given an easy test. (Author/DWH)

Twelve structural models of similarity were fitted to data from conventional and computer adaptive test (CAT) batteries measuring the same aptitude in a double cross-validation design. Three of the 12 models, including a multiplicative structure model, performed well, providing support for using CATs as replacements for conventional tests. (NSF)

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)

Psychology students studied one of two versions of a passage that explained several concepts. One version included definitions of concepts and examples; the other included definitions only. A major finding was that the increased performance of students who received examples was obtained on applied questions but not on literal questions. (Author/RM)

The implications of "A Nation at Risk" for the field of measurement are examined. These are a need for more frequent and varied tests; responsibility for eliminating measurement problems; and a resurgence of standardized testing at the high school level. The need for measures of teaching quality will increase. (DWH)

In an attempt to restore the symmetry and balance between the study of person and item variation, this paper presents a novel methodology construct specification equations, which allows one to ascertain from the lawful behavior of items what an instrument is measuring. (Author/PN)

The Play Rating Scale was developed to observe young children's behaviors in four different areas of play: physical, block, manipulative, and dramatic. In each area, observations focus on frequency, ability, and creativity in communicating ideas; social levels of participation; and leadership capability. A total of 2,400 three-, four- and…

Explains how tables of specifications (used in estabishing content validity) and item analysis (a modificatin of item difficulty) can readily be used by the classroom teacher to design well-balanced tests. (HOD)

An eight test battery was constructed to measure four specific cognitive abilities in preschool children: verbal skill, memory, perceptual speed, and spatial ability. Based on results of factor analyses of the testing of 98 three year olds, a shorter version, consisting of four tests, was devised which shows promising validity. (Author/BS)