Discusses (1) perspectives from which standardized test developers, users, and interpreters must consider test results; (2) test components that affect student test performance; (3) test abuses that contribute to the shortening of tests; and (4) how educators can effect a change in the increased reliance on standardized tests. (HTH)

Demonstrates that the reflection-impulsivity dimension is related to some reading tasks but not others. Finds in particular that not all word recognition tasks are affected by conceptual tempo. (FL)

The purpose of this paper is to describe some of the current changes in test development that are taking place because of the availability and capabilities of computers, especially microcomputers. Item banking and test assembly are discussed, and a comprehensive testing system is described. (BW)

The Self-Description Questionnaire III (SDQ III) was designed to measure 13 factors of self-concept. The reliabilities of the factors were high, and correlations among them were low. Academic achievement measures in language and mathematics were correlated with self-concepts in the same areas but not with other self-concept factors. (Author/DWH)

On the basis of the characteristics of criterion-referenced tests, the contribution of German research to the development and application of criterion-referenced tests is discussed. (PN)

Describes two modifications to the SMOG Readability Formula designed to make it more useful for primary and intermediate grade materials. (FL)

To measure pupils' inconsistency in replying to a self-report questionnaire regarding attitudes toward school, 6,000 elementary and secondary school students participated in a nation-wide project to construct and validate the Israeli Quality of School Life Questionnaire (IQSL). (PN)

Describes recent Austrian research concerning readability formulas, especially the Swedish Lix formula. Describes a prototype for a system of evaluating the individual variables that contribute to the difficulty of student reading materials. (FL)

The author empirically evaluates bias in construct validity and criterion-related validity of intelligence tests and bias in personality scales and concludes that little evidence exists to substantiate claims of bias for well-constructed, properly standardized tests. Therefore,, low-scoring minority or disadvantaged children need remedial and…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the construct validity of the occupational themes on the Strong Campbell Interest Inventory. Male (n=199) and female (n=204) college counseling center clients were administered the SCII and the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS). The occupational themes and related descriptors were validated in…

Some basic facts about test construction and uses and abuses of standardized measures. (Author)

Significant test concepts are discussed and guidelines are given for planning and constructing test items. Examples are given for evaluating reading comprehension and suggestions are made for pre- and post-test activities. (Author/RM)

An interim report on preparations for designing an examination in Dutch. The "unit-credit system" proposed by the Council of Europe is being used. The Dutch certificate will be comparable to the certificates given by the British Council and by the People's Universities. Sample portions are given. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

The work we report focuses on utilizing linguistic profiles of mathematics, science and social studies textbook selections for the creation of reading test specifications. Once we determined that a text and associated tasks fit within the parameters established in Butler et al. (2004), they underwent both internal and external review by language…

This handbook was created by and for Nebraska teachers. It includes samples from and reflections on the work of seven teams of teachers who worked, under the auspices of a Goals 2000 project, to develop local assessments. The project had three main phases. The teams came together for a summer workshop in 1999 where they learned "assessment…