Changes in the way contemporary organizations conduct business demand a concurrent redesign of teaching and testing methods. Maintaining instructional quality must begin with knowledge of the quality revolution in contemporary organizations in order to meet the demands of these organizations for self-confident, self-directed, self-motivated,…

As part of an effort to develop strategies for measuring institutional effectiveness, a study was conducted at West Virginia University at Parkersburg (WVU-P), a two-year institution with an enrollment of nearly 4,000 students, to determine the most appropriate instrument for measuring gains in general education between incoming freshman (i.e.,…

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 book approaches the theory and practice of assessment with an overview of the condition of American higher education, addressing its scope, objectives, and diversity. From that base, the book explores the challenges which society poses to campuses in terms of justification of expenditures and demonstration of tangible outcomes. It discusses…

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…

This publication presents assessments of trends in the educational achievement of elementary and secondary school students. In light of the heightened reliance on achievement tests a careful appraisal of recent trends in scores has important ramifications for educational policy. This study assesses test score trends and offers some insights on the…

In large type and in very simple language, this pamphlet informs parents about the provisions of Public Law 94-142. It states that children with handicaps can go to public school with other children, that the school must give the special help that children with handicaps need to learn in school, and that the special help is called special…

In large type and in very simple language, this pamphlet informs parents, in Spanish, about the provisions of Public Law 94-142. It states that children with handicaps can go to public school with other children, that the school must give the special help that children with handicaps need to learn in school, and that the special help is called…

This review of the literature on testing urban students indicates that standardized tests may not reflect accurately the ability and achievement of poor minority children. Further, new research in cognition makes clear that both teaching and testing could be structured to better prepare students for the complex thinking required by life. Since…

This document uses a question-and-answer format to explain different approaches and techniques for measuring and evaluating the progress of Missouri special needs students. Following an overview and six-word glossary, the topics covered include the purposes of evaluation; the role of the IEP (Individualized Education Plan) or IVEP (Individualized…

A cognitive process approach is applied to this discussion of the nature and relationship of skills, thinking, and social studies knowledge. To make understanding explicit, the paper addresses: (1) the meaning of cognitive skills and their role in thinking; (2) generic versus specific skills; and (3) implications for the National Assessment of…

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has the potential to become a national data system and to meet the rapidly expanding needs for educational information. Historically, NAEP has had the objectives of providing relevant information for federal, state, and local policymakers; establishing a research database; and monitoring…

Discussions were held with administrative staff and evaluators from the New York City Public Schools in order to identify sources of data for evaluating special education programs. Data which are generally available include: (1) citywide reading test scores; (2) number of diplomas issued; (3) number of students decertified; (4) number of students…

A number of challenges will be faced by the school testing community in the future. The content of achievement tests must match the curriculum, which changes its focus over the years. Test content should reflect expanding curriculum areas such as computer literacy, consumer skills, and critical thinking. Test publishers will provide data for…

A summary is provided of the 1985-86 goals and accomplishments of Maricopa County Community College District's (MCCCD's) Student Assessment Pilot Project, which was conducted to develop a districtwide database of quantitative and qualitative information upon which decisions about policies, programs, and procedures related to assessment,…