To improve on cutoff scores based on absolute standards which may produce an unacceptable number of failures, a compromise is suggested. The compromise draws on the information in the observed score distribution to adjust the standard. Three compromise models developed by Hofstee, Beuk, and De Gruijter are compared. (Author/GDC)

Describes how the Allentown, Pennsylvania, public school district uses district-wide final examinations (along with some class-specific test items designed by teachers) to assess secondary school programs, provide "feedback" to teachers, and evaluate student mastery of learning objectives. (MCG)

Educational strengths and limitations of the mastery learning instructional model in fulfilling the functions of instruction and student evaluation are examined. (MM)

This paper presents a multistage adaptive testing test development paradigm that promises to handle content balancing and other test development needs, psychometric reliability concerns, and item exposure. The bundled multistage adaptive testing (BMAT) framework is a modification of the computer-adaptive sequential testing framework introduced by…

The 10 criticisms of criterion-referenced tests addressed in this paper are: the domains tested; pedagogical influence; difficulty of items; cumbersome reports; reliability; arbitrary criteria; local objectives; labeling; predictive validity; and repeated testing. (SJL)

The Bayesian approach to setting passing points on credentialing examinations in the health fields is considered in the context of the Normal model, and examples are given to demonstrate the procedure. An application to a credentialing examination, to determine a rational passing point, is presented. (Author/MH)

Discusses issues related to mandatory state teacher examination and notes public approval of such tests. Indicates that a satisfactory paper-and-pencil test of teachers' readiness to teach does not presently exist. (RH)

Loglinear latent class models are used to detect differential item functioning (DIF). Likelihood ratio tests for assessing the presence of various types of DIF are described, and these methods are illustrated through the analysis of a "real world" data set. (TJH)

Compared infant-mother attachment and mastery motivation in babies born to adolescent and adult mothers. Found more, although not significantly so, securely attached infants among those born to adult than to adolescent mothers. Infants of adolescent mothers were significantly more persistent than infants of adult mothers, although they were…

Discusses the development of performance schema that outline criteria specific to a job-related activity during which trainees apply course content and demonstrate competencies learned. The process involves identification and grouping of criteria, choosing rating scales, checklist construction, and organization of the preceding elements into a…

Among the 22 tests cited in this bibliography are end-of-course tests, tests of the American Chemical Society, and chemistry item banks. This document is one in a series of topical bibliographies from the Test Collection (TC) at the Educational Testing Service (ETS) containing descriptions of more than 18,000 tests and other measurement devices…

A new procedure is proposed for developing, evaluating, and implementing routing procedures for use with individualized instruction programs. An item response theory model for describing the relationship between performance on sequentially arranged units of instruction, and procedures for using the model to evaluate sequential relationships and…

Techniques derived from item response theory are useful for estimating the reliability of test classification above and below the cutting score. Test developers can construct a test whose information is peaked in the region of the cutting score; users can select a test which provides the most information in this region. The Cut-Score…

These materials contain the test booklets and answer keys to the mathematics mastery program of the West Bloomfield Schools (Michigan). Two booklets, forms A and B, were developed for each grade level from grade 3 through grade 6. The answer keys are on separate sheets. The mastery program is based on textbook and supplemental materials. (TW)

This handbook treats a restricted set of statistical procedures for addressing some of the most prevalent technical issues that arise in domain-referenced testing. The procedures discussed here were chosen because they do not necessitate extensive computations. The five major sections of the paper cover: (1) item analysis procedures for using data…