The reading progress of 96 disadvantaged children from kindergarten through grade 3 was analyzed to determine rate and consistency of reading growth as estimated from several reading measures. Although steady growth was observed on all measures, rate and consistency varied with the type of reading measure used, as well as with the specific test…

Six formulas designed to predict reading capacity were compared by correlating each with actual reading performance. Two of the formulas, the Science Research Associates Tests of General Ability (TOGA) and the Harris Formula, are based on mental age only; the third, the Los Angeles Formula, employs both mental and chronological age; the fourth,…

Described in this report is a home-based, cognitive-affective intervention program involving 93 mothers and their children. This demonstration program sought to show that the principal cognitive element missing from the experience of low-income children in preparation for schooling is a sufficient amount of concept-building verbal interaction in…

An evaluation of research in the area of perceptual training suggests procedures for teachers to follow until more definitive information is obtained. First, educators should build their programs on broadly-based but accurate classifications of perceptual skills. They should also be aware of the theoretical assumptions which influence perceptual…

As the result of the installation of the Certificate of Secondary Education, some method was needed for examining the student in history, one of the subjects constituting the work for the certificate. This report is the result of a study to define and outline what a part of the larger history exam should be, the individual term paper or…

Project ABRAZO, a Spanish bilingual project in 4 urban schools having over 50% Mexican American composition, operates with the objective of conducting research related to the self-concept of Mexican American students. In connection with ABRAZO, this paper focuses on describing the ABRAZO schools by reporting on the administration of Halpin and…

This paper is concerned with the accusations made by such groups as the Association of Black Psychologists in their call for a moratorium on testing, that standardized tests are biased. A biased test measures one trait in one group of people but a different trait in a second group. Evidence about the amount of bias in tests is thin. Bias must be…

Testimony was presented at these hearings by the following witnesses: Ronald Edmonds, assistant superintendent, School and Community Affairs, Michigan Department of Education; Dr. Daniel H. Kruger, professor, School of Labor and Industrial Relations, Michigan State University; Robert McKerr, associate superintendent, Business and Finance, Michigan…

Seniors in Broward County (Florida) public and private high schools were compared on the basis of 1970-1971 statewide test results, with comparisons made of how well students were achieving in terms of their capabilities as measured by the verbal and quantitative aptitude sections of the statewide battery. Some of the findings were that: 1)…

This report describes the experimental design, presents the contract provisions, and provides conclusions and recommendations. The document is comprised of five chapters that discuss (1) the statistical analysis methods used, (2) the problems of using standardized tests in performance contracting, (3) the contractual procedures between OEO and the…

Alternate admission systems are reviewed in respect to the minority applicant in an attempt to assess the nature of the bias frequently referred to in connection with standardized testing. The connection between the use of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) as a standardized test and the admission system was explored, concluding that the role…

This paper focuses on three topics. The first introduces the original Anchor Test Study conducted and reported by Educational Testing Service (ETS) from 1971 to 1974. This study, involving the testing of more than 300,000 children, produced raw score equivalency tables for eight commonly used reading tests and new individual and school-mean norms…

The Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS/S) was the nationally standardized, norm-referenced test selected for the Idaho Statewide Testing Program for 1976-77. It provided basic skills measures in reading, language, mathematics, total battery, reference skills, science and social studies. Students in the 4th, 8th and 11th grades from 51 of…

Academic achievement test data from a nationwide random sample of 6,873 students enrolled in special educational programs for the hearing impaired in spring, 1974, were considered in relation to the demographic characteristics of the students. After statistical rescaling to eliminate the influence of age, the data clearly showed some strong…

Intended for educational assessors, school administrators, and those involved in the education of teachers and assessors, the manual presents guidelines for nonbiased educational assessment of culturally different children. Addressed are three major issues (sample subtopics are in parentheses): standardization of tests (norms, validity,…