Discusses an objective small-scale research project involving preservice student teachers of English in Hong Kong. Argues that language proficiency assessment for teachers (LPAT) in Hong Kong is likely to exert a detrimental influence on the assessment of student writing by reinforcing traditional conceptions of language, grammar, and pedagogy.…

Examined data from several national testing programs to determine whether the change from paper-based administration to computer-based tests influences group differences in performance. Results from four college and graduate entrance examinations and a professional licensing test show that African Americans and, to a lesser degree, Hispanics,…

Relates why educators should embrace tests as tools for transforming teaching and learning. States that rigorous and meaningful testing can help ensure the academic achievement of all students. Further, useful education assessments must make clear what they measure, and they must measure what educators value most. (Contains six references.) (WFA)

In revisions due to be implemented in 1994, the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) will emphasize critical reading skills and mathematical computation more, and test takers will be allowed to use calculators. The College Entrance Examination Board's Achievement Tests will also be overhauled, with new subject tests added and current test format and…

The National Assessment of Educational Progress, a testing program which gathers data on knowledge and skills of American students to indicate educational achievement, may also be used to do comparisons among states. However, it cannot provide accountability oriented data; such use may erode its value as an indicator of educational achievement.…

In the typical career appraisal, the structure of client and counselor roles and the focus of the assessments and interpretation obstruct its intended purpose in four major ways: casting clients as subordinates, discounting self-assessment by favoring counselor assessments, de-emphasizing the influence of context, and focusing on a single choice.…

A qualitative observational study of standardized group testing in 10 kindergartens revealed variations in testing conditions, discrepancies from standardized administration procedures, and variations in children's behavior that contributed to difficulties in maintaining a uniform testing process. High-stakes group testing in kindergarten should…

Argues that research shows that the concerns expressed about the Graded Assessment in Mathematics (GAIM) project are not serious and do not outweigh the positive benefits of the program. States that levels of achievement and development of mathematical learning are related. Urges the linking of summative and formative assessment. (KO)

Studies processes in 49 Canadian K-13 classrooms to identify teachers' student achievement evaluation methods. Teacher interviews and categorization of their testing instruments showed teachers beyond early primary grades used evaluations mainly to generate marks for reporting purposes. Such reports seen as reaffirming existing judgments, rather…

Reviews new conceptions of cognitive and conative aptitude, learning, development, and achievement and their assessment. Argues that different purposes for educational assessment require different levels and models of assessment. Strongly suggests research on construct validity and teacher understanding and use of assessment. (FMW)

Reports that 26 of 199 responding colleges require the Fundamentals of Engineering examination. States that of the 26, 16 require it to be taken college-wide and 3 require the student to pass. It was estimated that fewer than half of all graduating engineering students take the exam. (MVL)

Argues that the Scholastic Aptitude Test is unnecessary. Advocates the coordinated development of achievement tests and high school curricula based on the College Board's Advanced Placement Program and Project Equality. (FMW)

An Oregon Health Sciences University medical school experiment adapted the quarterly Objective Structured Clinical Examination, in which medical students interact with standardized patients, to accommodate 23 small groups rather than 94 individual students at each testing station. Results indicated the method favorably influenced students,…

For almost 60 years, researchers and practitioners have relied on the "Mental Measurements Yearbook" series for information about published instruments. The new edition contains descriptive information on 477 tests in 18 major categories. This edition maintains its predecessors' tradition of excellence. (SLD)

Finds the best preschool predictors of reading were naming tests for boys and general verbal ability for girls; for kindergartners, a quantitative test surpassed test of phonemic awareness and language in predicting reading; effects of birth order were strongest at the preschool level; socioeconomic status had significant effects only for boys,…