Examines positive and negative aspects of American public education and looks at sources of confusion. Positive points include higher graduation rates, higher test scores, math and science accomplishment, and college quality. Negative points include poverty's effect on academic achievement and lack of sensitivity to student diversity. (SM)

Describes a library instruction program designed to familiarize students with educational and psychological measurement and evaluation tools, including print and online/CD-ROM sources. Resources in the following areas are listed: introductory and general works, specialized sources for information on measurement instruments, indexes and abstracts,…

An interview with Christopher Schenk, Britain's Inspector of Schools, reveals his impressions of the differences and similarities of early childhood education in Britain and the United States. Topics included teaching methods, at-risk children, standardized tests, early intervention, family involvement in the schools, funding, and health care.…

Using one set of standardized tests to determine if a student graduates or is promoted makes students pay for society's failure to provide an equal, quality education; encourages teaching to the test instead of teaching critical thinking skills; and ignores research findings and test publishers' advice that multiple measures are necessary for…

Describes the use of the Northwest Evaluation Association's Achievement Level Test for Reading as an assessment tool in an elementary school to measure student progress in reading. Discusses interpreting scores across grade levels; computerized versions; linking test items to new curriculum; reducing reading class size; and the role of technology.…

Optimize action learning and successful evaluation through adopting new views of IQ. IQ as developed here relates to success in life and it is among the most changeable of characteristics. However, IQ as measured in the past is one of the least malleable of factors. Had you rather measure for and teach toward something that is not changeable or…

In this technical report, the authors describe the development alternate forms of Word and Passage Reading Fluency measures as part of a comprehensive progress monitoring literacy assessment system developed in 2006 for use with students in Kindergarten through fourth grade. They begin with a brief overview of the two conceptual frameworks…

This pamphlet alerts school psychologists to the educational implications of Tourette Syndrome (TS) and provides information on: the nature of the disorder and its incidence, diagnostic criteria, etiology, treatment, and considerations in testing and classroom accommodations. TS is characterized as a complex neurobiological disorder with…

While the member countries of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have many differences in culture, history, and level of economic development, all APEC representatives who attended this ministerial agreed on the importance of establishing education standards and examination systems to meet the needs of their people in the 21st century.…

The best procedure for the diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) remains fragmented. The diagnosis is frequently based on anecdotal information and rating scales completed by parents and teachers. A major drawback to a more objective diagnosis has been the absence of standardized test data generated by the child client. The…

This book is designed to develop a general conceptualization of equality of educational opportunity and to use it to characterize the problems confronting public education in the United States. It is argued that educational opportunities and educational results cannot be disentangled. After an overview in chapter 1, chapter 2, "A Radical…

This report explores the application of cost analysis to testing and assessment in elementary and secondary schools. A case for economic analysis of testing is first outlined. The case rests on the importance on test information, the magnitude of resources devoted to testing, and the relevance of an economics of information model to testing…

If teachers do not determine children's understandings and beliefs the children cannot be challenged. Five individual units are presented that have the intention of drawing out the underlying beliefs that children hold with respect to various aspects of science. "Skateboard News" is a newsletter which discusses aspects of skateboards and…

This volume examines historic, cross-cultural, and psychometric issues with regard to the use of psychological testing in South Africa. After an introduction in Chapter 1, the following chapters are: "Measurement and Evaluation in Psychology and Education"; "History of the Development of Psychological Tests," which includes…

This selection of readings in the field of educational reform presents 46 articles, mostly from the news media, and 2 cartoons related to improvement of the educational system. It opens with "Network Notes," brief reports and reviews about events and recent publications of interest to those concerned with educational reform. The first…