Though item bias statistics are widely recommended for use in test development and analysis, problems arise in their interpretation. This research evaluates logistic test models and computer simulation methods for providing a frame of reference for interpreting item bias statistics. Specifically, the intent was to produce simulated sampling…

In physical education classes at the secondary school level, objective, sex-fair evaluation is necessary to help each student develop to his or her fullest capacity. Student performance assessment must take into account the physiological differences between males and females after the onset of puberty. Within each sex there is a broad range of…

A random sample of October, 1979, test sites was selected to assess the potential bias of the ACT Assessment. From this sample, sites which tested at least five Anglos and five Hispanics were included; the final sample contained a total of 876 students (403 Anglo and 373 Hispanic). Using the primary hypothesis, "There is no interaction…

This text is designed to accompany workshop instruction in student assessment technique for the purpose of evaluating bilingual programs. It is addressed to those involved with bilingual programs generally, educators directly involved in planning and implementation, and research and evaluation specialists. The contextual variables that affect the…

To examine the issue of item bias within the context of the revised Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-R), judgments as to perceived item bias were sought. Independent raters nominated 53 WAIS-R items as containing possible bias. White and non-white college students nominated items as racially or sexually biased. Whereas 10 items were judged…

This commentary explores some of the most pointed criticisms of the "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB), and of high-stakes standardized testing more generally. The author focuses specifically on the impact of NCLB on urban schools -- schools which are the constant focus of reform in a culture that presumably wishes to educate its citizens in…

Racism remains a distinct factor in problems faced by black teachers and teacher educators. The number of black teachers in the public schools is diminishing, especially in the southern states, where the black student population is the highest. The higher education environment has been undergoing drastic changes in faculty and student body…

The background out of which "truth in testing" legislation arose is reviewed in this report, which also describes existing state and federal testing legislation, details arguments raised in hearings on the legislation, analyzes the legal issues raised, and provides a framework for simplifying the arguments and gathering more information.…

A process for setting standards that may be adapted by educators in a variety of settings for educational decision making is presented. In this process, which was used to set minimum standards in English for admission to a teacher education program at a large university, a number of trial standards were initially set utilizing a variety of…

This report describes the student selection process and its results for the Horizon Program, a magnet program for gifted students conducted in Seattle, Washington public schools in 1978-1979. In the first section various measures used to determine students' creative, academic, intellectual, and leadership capabilities for program admission are…

Research on career development has shown sex differences in patterns of occupational choices and labor force participation. Test takers of career interest inventories and occupational tests may perceive adult roles differently if they are male or female; thus, these perceptions are critical to any attempt to reduce sex bias in testing. High school…

Regression lines for the prediction of Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT) scores by Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) and WISC Revised (WISC-R) intelligence quotients were compared across race, by the Potoff technique. Subjects were 36 black and 30 white children who were referred for psychological evaluation because of learning or…

A comparative study of item analysis was conducted on the basis of race to determine whether alternative test construction or processing might increase the proportion of black enlisted personnel among those passing various military technical knowledge examinations. The study used data from six specialists at four grade levels and investigated item…

Techniques for assessing test validity and reliability are applied to an analysis of an unpublished test, in order to familiarize test users in local bilingual programs with the technical evidence that should be available for instruments of potential use in placing limited English-speaking students. The instrument studied, the Language Assignment…

The 1975 Community/Junior College Conference sought to define and describe evaluation, discuss measuring devices, and underscore the ethical reasons for fair evaluation. William P. Gorth began by discussing the purpose of evaluation--to provide data to a specified decision-maker for decision-making--and the implications which could be drawn from…