Examines research on high stakes testing and its relationship to student outcomes, presenting data from Massachusetts and North Carolina on state trends related to high stakes testing. Findings suggest that non-white, non-Asian students, and students with special needs and English language learners, are the groups most deeply affected by high…

Conflict over whether Dutch standardized tests and national standards are appropriate relates to goals ascribed to student evaluation (a measurement goal for selection decisions or a pedagogical goal to support learning). Interviews with Dutch secondary teachers who worked in a context that combined national standards in the final year with…

Examined the relationship between the quality of school, family, and community partnership programs and student performance on Maryland's state-mandated achievement tests. Data from 82 urban elementary schools indicated that the degree to which schools were working to overcome challenges to family and community involvement predicted higher…

Gives an account of Gail Reynolds's experience in administrating the DART (Developmental assessment resource for teachers) and AIM (Achievement improvement monitor) tests at her school. Reflects on how the test results compared with her own judgments of the literacy abilities of individual students in her class. Offers four case studies that draw…

Three former secretaries of education--William Bennett, Lauro Cavazos, and Terrel Bell--have touted state-level SAT scores as proof that educational financing does not matter. Recently, Brian Powell and Lala Carr Steelman adjusted scores for participation rate and detected a very strong relationship between expenditures and SAT scores. Bigger…

Describes the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Advanced Placement in International English Language (APIEL) and evaluates both tests on three basic types of validity criteria: content, construct, and criterion-related. Concludes that the TOEFL has serious limitations, and that the APIEL may be more useful. (EV)

Examines what teachers learn about the role of assessments in instruction through designing and using their own curriculum- embedded assessment, noting how the development of teachers' understanding of assessment for instructional purposes supports and conflicts with use of assessment data for reporting and accountability purposes. The paper…

Alternatives to traditional multiple choice educational assessment methodologies are briefly described, arguments for existence of bias in multiple choice tests are summarized, and the disadvantages of such alternative methods as essay exams are pointed out. (DB)

The policies/practices of the New Zealand School Certificate--a summative examination taken by students after three years of secondary school--are reviewed. The examination is likely to be discarded because of the many mechanisms used to buffer scaling effects and equate distributions. New assessment methods may better reflect student achievement.…

In 1992, the National Assessment of Educational Progress will assess math skills at fourth- and eighth-grade levels and reading skills among fourth graders. For the first time, the process will be designed to compare states. The historical background, rationale, and expected benefits of this new approach are summarized. Includes six references.…

Critiques William Becker, William Greene, and Sherwin Rosen's review of the research regarding the teaching and learning of high school economics. Calls for sharper definitions of research models to improve focus. Explains a distinction between stock and flow models, and asks for elaboration on topics covered. Suggests examining textbook…

The article describes application to mathematically gifted elementary age students of the diagnostic/prescriptive model developed by the Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth. A five-step procedure of beyond-level standardized testing is followed by mentored instruction based on analysis of testing errors. (DB)

To help physicians select appropriate screening tests for early childhood identification of developmental disabilities, 19 screening tests were administered by a pediatrician and rated by a panel of pediatricians and a special educator. Five of the tests were identified that approached standards for educational and psychological tests. (TJH)

Offers the Southern Examining Group chief examiner's personal assessment of the successes and problems encountered during the first year of the British General Certification of Secondary Education (GCSE) examination. Discusses both coursework and the examination itself. Concludes that if administrative problems can be overcome, the GCSE will…

Examines the policy initiatives of the National Curriculum and the National Assessment and Testing programs in Great Britain. Argues that school-based teacher assessment and centralized testing lend themselves to professional accountability and market accountability. Concludes that an official policy of advocating both methods will create…