This speech presents instructional evaluation techniques currently used in Belleville, Illinois. These are based on two criteria: (1) community opinion, and (2) performance level of students. To discover community opinions, needs, priorities, and levels of support, questionnaires are distributed, presenting a series of curricular goals and…

Through an extensive nomination process, six school districts which were trying to link their testing and evaluation activities with instruction were identified. Interviews with these districts were conducted over a 2-year period; the results dealing with the dissemination and use of testing for instructional change are presented here. Three…

A standardized language arts achievement test can be used by language arts teachers as they plan the language arts curriculum, group pupils, individualize instruction, and identify pupils needing special help. Two interventions, training and process consultation, were used to identify the most effective method of training preservice elementary…

One of the two major phases of the Test Use Project of the Center for the Study of Evalaution (CSE) is discussed; that is, the collection and analyses of survey data from a national sample of teachers and principals representing the targeted grades/schools. Some historical background influencing that phase of the project is provided. The findings…

This booklet is planned to help teachers, parents, students, and community members to understand concepts and research relating to testing in public schools. Three general uses--public access, accountability, and standards--relate to testing in its broadest conception. The major purposes of tests are discussed, as are some different types of…

The applicability of the University of Wisconsin-Extension's Individual Physician Profile (IPP) program was assessed for applicability for physician assistants (PAs). (The program was designed to help general physicians analyze their practice and identify areas in which they need continuing medical education.) A sample of 89 (of 100 selected) PAs…

This paper discusses the use of tests by American teachers over the past six decades. A representative sample of the research centering on the linkage between testing and teaching is cited. (LMO)

A discussion of the British higher education admission system describes the drawbacks of the process and the examination on which it relies, examines the implications for the higher education participation rate and social inequality, and argues that alternatives such as developmental courses can not be expected to produce significant change. (MSE)

This study investigated the attitudes of faculty members toward the reliability and validity of student ratings and its uses for administrative purposes, i.e., promotion and tenure considerations. The effects of background and organizational variables were also researched. (Author/LMO)

Reviews the Curriculum Referenced Tests of Mastery that are intended to measure achievement, with the emphasis on measuring what a student has learned rather than predicting future success in school, concluding that the tests are worthy of consideration by any district. (HOD)

A variety of uses of College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests has emerged, including rewarding high school seniors for competence in English and excellence in other subjects, college and university community outreach and public relations, encouraging college aspirations, student recruitment, and integration with freshman orientation. (MSE)

Opinionnaires were sent to one person in each of the 50 states who was knowledgeable about minimum competency testing. Results showed significant differences in opinion, but there was agreement that tests should be used to improve instruction and identify students needing remedial help. (JHZ)

Can students' writing ability really be assessed by standardized, objective tests? This question is explored here along with a discussion of the alternatives and advice for principals to help their English and language arts teachers confront the issue. (Author/TE)

Argues that colleges can use Verbal SAT scores to place freshmen in reading courses when comprehension measures are not available. (HOD)

An annotated bibliography of 22 tests designed for core French, French immersion, and native French speaking students includes information on intended test population, levels, test types, test construction, use history and statistics, and source. An index and directory of distributors are included. (MSE)