The development and standardization of the third edition of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) are described. The existence of documented historical trends was a significant factor in the project to revise the WISC-R, which is the most widely used intelligence battery in North America. Development of the third edition…

In May 1991, a professional development conference was held for coordinators of services for learning disabled (LD) students in New York State two-year colleges. The purpose of the session was to provide an opportunity for information and dialogue targeted at the exchange of ideas and perspectives and the consideration of regional and local…

This book relies on three categories (visions, contexts, and roles) to explore school renewal as promulgated by participants in the National Education Association's Mastery in Learning Project. Following MIL Project Director Robert McClure's introduction covering participants' collegiality-building experiences, the "Visions" section…

This report discusses a House of Representatives bill (H.R. 2435) to establish a National Council on Education Standards and Testing. The bill's title and purpose, and the congressional findings behind it are outlined first, followed by a summary of provisions concerning the Council's establishment, duties, reports, membership, director and staff,…

This ERIC Digest was adapted from the Association for Childhood Education International's (ACEI) 1991 position paper on standardized testing. Since the publication of "A Nation at Risk" in 1983, standardized testing programs have expanded greatly. Tests may be of pencil-and-paper or performance-oriented varieties. The purposes of tests…

This bulletin was founded at the eleventh World Congress on Reading, held in London in 1986. Its subject is Literacy Education in Asia and its objective is to "enable different National Councils to share information about literacy in their own region and how problems are met." (WTB) (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse on Literacy Education)

This guide for prospective international graduate students provides information on the American system of graduate education. Topics covered are: (1) rationale for graduate study in the United States; (2) definition and description of graduate education; (3) appropriate background for graduate study; (3) selecting a graduate program; (4) the…

The Chicago (Illinois) School Reform Act of 1988 (Public Act 85-1418) established the performance of students on a nationally normed, standardized test as a key measure of success. In the Chicago Public Schools, the tests used are the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) in the elementary grades and the Tests of Achievement and Proficiency (TAP) in…

This report examines whether a high school curriculum organized around the five "new basics" suggested by the National Commission on Excellence in Education is likely to enhance student achievement. Data from the ETS Growth Study reveals that completion of the core curriculum has sizable effects on senior-year test performance, even when…

Earlier content analyses showed that the match between content covered by textbooks and tests varied as a function of the particular textbook and test a teacher was asked to use. This study tried to determine if the congruity in textbook-test content varied as a function of different styles of textbook use. Using year-long case studies of seven…

Based on findings of previous research, this project developed, implemented, and examined the effect of instructional materials and procedures designed to eliminate the influence on test scores of the following four factors: (1) differential levels of test-taking skills on the part of students; (2) student's lack of familiarity with and consequent…

The usefulness of tests for college admissions decisions, guidance, and student placement is discussed by a representative of the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Since high school curricula often vary among schools in both content and quality, standardized test scores provide a common measure of applicant performace and indicate a grasp of…

The South Carolina Trade Examinations for Trade and Industrial Education teachers are administered semi-annually by the South Carolina State Department of Education, Office of Vocational Education, Vocational Teacher Education Programs Unit. This handbook is designed to provide prospective trade and industrial education teachers, vocational…

A panel of expert referees from the Philadelphia school district categorized items from secondary-level standardized mathematics tests according to National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) subobjectives for mathematics. The following tests were covered by the study: (1) California Achievement Tests (Levels 19 and 20); (2) Comprehensive…

A survey was conducted to ascertain the amount and type of external testing (defined as any test introduced from outside the classroom) of English/language arts being administered throughout the province of British Columbia (Canada) during the 1985-1986 school year. Teachers and administrators were also given the opportunity to comment on the…