The Test of Diagnostic Skills is intended to explore the way a physician or a medical student solves a clinical problem through analysis of the type and sequence of the questions he/she asks. The emphasis is on processes used to reach a conclusion rather than on the accuracy of the conclusion itself. Information based on a real clinical case is…

The Illinois Three Phase System should be temporarily retained as an administrative tool to be used in relationships between the Division of Vocational and Technical Education and local education agencies. But it is clear that such a system, with its scope directed toward local school districts, with its lack of outcome assessment, and with its…

The Physical Performance Test for California is a revision of the publication prepared in 1966 by a committee representative of the offices of the county superintendents of schools. The test events which compose the Physical Performance Test were studied, and new norms were established during the 1969-70 school year. This publication contains the…

The rationale and description of tests of teaching power by which teachers have an equal chance to show their relative ability to effect pupils' achievement in reading skills are discussed. Illustrations of these performance tests and a means for administering them - "teaching faires" are also presented. Data in support of teaching performance…

Three third-grade, three sixth-grade, and three adult female examiners tested 108 kindergarten and third-grade girls, half of whom were familiar to them, on three individually administered measures. No differences in performance on any measure as a function of familiarity were found at either grade level. No differences by examiners of different…

Increases in competency testing as a basis for student promotion and graduation are described. Examines the complexities and implementation of minimal competency testing and argues for consideration of unresolved issues: (1) definition of "minimal competency," (2) determination of appropriate measures, and (3) use of minimal competency concept in…

A Vocational Certificate of Completion is given by the Ohio State Department of Education to each vocational student to verify that the student has satisfactorily completed a vocational program. The author describes a plan in the senior stenography program at her high school to match the certificate's employment skill levels with competency-based…

Discussed in relation to career education for handicapped students are advantages and disadvantages of four types of measurement: applied performance testing, criterion validity studies, product vs. process measurement, and criterion vs. norm-referenced measurement. Available from: Division on Career Development, The Council for Exceptional…

The authors outline the process of generating student proficiency tests, including item generation, pilot testing among students, sampling and testing to tailor proficiency measurement to job market needs, using selected community members as sample test populations, and analysis of test results. (Author/DS)

Second-year medical students (N=187) evaluated their own videotaped performances during physical assessment examinations. Peers and expert evaluators also rated the performances. Significant differences emerged across types of raters. Results show that these students do not accurately assess their own or peers' skills performances. (TJH)

Differences in performance IQs between deaf children of hearing parents (HP), deaf children of deaf parents (DP), and hearing children (HC) may be a result of differences in speed of information processing. DP adolescents were found to have faster reaction and movement times than HP or HC subjects along with equivalent IQs. (Author/VW)

Contains three articles designed to help practitioners with practical assessment for the GCSE. Articles include: "GCSE Biology Practical Assessment--Can the End Justify the Means?"; "Investigating the Effect of Catalase: GCSE Assessment Practical"; and "An Experimental Design for GCSE Physics." (CW)

Reviews the performance of U.S. students in science and mathematics achievement as compared to 17 other countries, as reported in two surveys released by the National Science Foundation. Discusses the results of a research study done by Iris Weiss. Points out deficiencies and trends in American science education. (CW)

Results of field testing for reliability and validity the Generalizable Mathematics Skills Student Self-Ratings (SSR), Teacher Ratings (TR), and Performance Test (PT) assessment instruments with 138 handicapped secondary students in vocational programs and their vocational teachers (N=5) found sufficient content and face validity and relatively…

Addresses the issue of whether preschoolers are aware of the connection between their emotions, their performance on a task of eye-hand coordination, and their evaluation of the task and their performance. Results indicate a developmental trend that children's predictions conform more to mood congruity theory as they grow older. (Author/DST)