Analysis of data from standard affective measures showed both an orthogonally rotated and an obliquely rotated factor solution yielded psychological dimensions that correspond to instrument's scales. Study Attitudes and Methods Survey was studied, using data on a total of 483 eleventh graders. Both solutions afforded comparable inferences about…

This overview of state requirements for school library media certification discusses the use by some states of competency-based requirements and/or standardized tests, and the standards proposed in "Information Power: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs" (ALA, 1988). A table presents information on individual states and a directory of…

Claims commonly held beliefs are 1) that English Education should reflect industrial needs, 2) that the role of literature should be diminished, and 3) that norm-referenced exams are an important evaluative measure. Warns that a national curriculum based on this current popular thought could be destructive to public education.(AH)

Sixty-five Hispanic students (average age 9.9 years) were evaluated for placement in a gifted/accelerated program. Of the five standardized tests administered, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Revised) identified the highest proportion of gifted/accelerated students; the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test and reading achievement scores…

A national survey of medical schools concerning the use made of Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores in selecting students found wide variation in practices. Some institutions regarded the subtest scores equally and individually, some weighted the areas according to their curricula, and some summed or averaged scores with weighting. (MSE)

A method for curriculum evaluation that utilizes content and student performance analyses of both an external certifying exam and curriculum components is reported. Findings demonstrate that a multidisciplinary grouping of courses can satisfactorily cover content deemed important by external judges and by internal course directors and instructors.…

While some states are adopting uniform, statewide testing of college students to assess learning, most are relying on a wide variety of testing programs designed and administered by individual institutions. (MSE)

Presents information about the kind of competency testing being done, how educators view the testing movement, and how it is affecting teacher preparation programs. (SRT)

The research and development of mental (standardized) testing and its relationship to educational practice is traced historically from its pre-World War I roots to its controversial national prominence in the 1970s. How standardized tests have been used in research and in schools is analyzed. (BS)

Forty-two fourth- and fifth-grade teachers rated their 1,032 students in the five curricular subjects: reading, mathematics, language arts, science, and social science. The teachers' ratings substantially agreed with students' scores on the Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills, indicating the concurrent validity of standardized achievement tests.…

Comparison of medical students' performance on the National Board of Medical Examiners test, Part I, indicates that the replacement of scheduled instructional time (i.e., lecture-based instruction) with a guided problem-solving program was not detrimental to test scores. (MSE)

A study is reported of the value of nursing program admission criteria (high school rank and grade point average, and individual and composite entrance examination scores) as predictors of undergraduate program performance, as measured by National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses scores.

Provides information on the American Chemical Society's (ACS) 1986 testing program, listing currently available tests (includes five new tests). Also provides condensed norms for ACS examinations, including high school chemistry forms 1985 and 1985-S, general-organic-biological chemistry form 1985, general chemistry (brief version) form 1985-B,…

Multiple measures of social and cognitive functioning were obtained to investigate whether abused and neglected children demonstrate serious psychological disturbances following instances of child maltreatment. Participants were 42 preschool children who had a previous history of physical abuse, serious neglect, or no maltreatment. (Author/RH)

When assessing a teachers' potential, it is important to use a variety of criteria rather than focusing on results of a standardized competency test. Dangers of competency tests are that state and local differences or priorities and effective teacher skills may not be identified. (DF)