Out of level testing is defined and reasons for administering out of level tests, especially in compensatory education programs are explained: (1) to achieve optimum test reliability; (2) to test student achievement--provided out of level test scores are interpreted in terms of the appropriate in-level population; (3) to avoid carelessness and…

To explain the discrepancy between median scores on the 1976 administration of the California Achievement Tests (CAT) and the Sequential Tests of Educational Progress (STEP) in the Austin Independent School District (AISD), ten technical variables typical of achievement tests were considered as explanations. (1) The STEP may measure different…

Three sections describing the Washington Pre-College Test (WPC) are presented. The first, Registration Booklet, is intended for high school students who may take the WPC. It describes the program; provides detailed instructions on completing the answer folder; lists colleges in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho which accept WPC results; and includes…

THE FIRST PART OF THIS REPORT IS A DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE 1965 ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT TITLE I PROJECTS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. THE ACTIVITIES OF 100 PERCENT OF THE PROJECTS ARE REPORTED. INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROJECTS WAS EXCHANGED AMONG LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND VISITS TO COMPARABLE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN…

Evaluations of social programs based upon quasi-experimental designs are typically plagued by problems of nonequivalence between the experimental and comparison group prior to the experiment. In such settings it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to isolate the effects of the program from the confounding effects associated with the…

This paper discusses the relationship between language proficiency and intelligence. In particular, the paper is concerned with the elements of intelligence testing which creep into tests designed to determine language proficiency, and the proliferation of testing of all types and the kinds of interpretations made of these tests. Particular…

This paper discusses some of the problems involved in the testing of minority group children, focusing on the testing of bilingual minorities and emphasizing the special problems involved in testing Hispanic children. Considered are a variety of ways in which tests have been misused and misinterpreted in working with these children. It is…

Current developments in the field of language testing are synthesized with emphasis on their practical application in the classroom. The main areas of concern are: (1) the role of testing in the schools; (2) identifying and measuring teacher and student variables, such as, language proficiency of teachers; teacher effectiveness in the classroom;…

The strengths and weakness of standardized tests, and trends in achievement testing in the last 15 years are examined. The discussion of achievement tests includes survey, instructional, diagnostic, and basic skills tests, as well as tests used for formative and summative evaluation. Minimum competency tests are not examined in detail. Advantages…

The logical and psychological bases for setting cutting scores for criterion-referenced tests are examined; they are found to be intrinsically arbitrary and are often examples of misdirected precision and axiomatization. The term, criterion referenced, originally referred to a technique for making test scores meaningful by controlling the test…

The Differential Aptitude Testing (DAT) Program was developed jointly by the Pupil Personnel Services Department of the Grossmont Union High School District and the San Diego County Regional Occupational Program. The purpose was to provide 10th grade students with individual aptitude information and techniques of career exploration for the purpose…

The testing program of the Royal Oak (Michigan) School District was examined and evaluated under agreement of the Royal Oak Teachers Association and the Administration of the Royal Oak School District. A committee was formed of people knowledgeable of the program and/or specialists in evaluation and testing. This study represents two days of…

This report describes the evaluation of the 1973-1974 Distar I and Distar II programs, which were used as Title I programs for first and second graders. Distar I was used with two first grade classes; Distar II was used with two second grade classes. Children who had completed two years of Distar instruction received traditional instruction in…

The Portland Board of Education had requested that the Oregon Central Evaluation Department provide student achievement data so as to allow comparisons with other school districts by reporting national grade level equivalent (GLE) scores on standardized tests of reading and mathematics for grades 4 and 8. For years, the position of most research…

Problems in the application and misapplication of test scores are discussed. Tests have been used to achieve optimum use of resources rather than optimum development of the individual. Or, they have been used to predict a child's achievement rather than to identify his learning difficulties. This latter use would indicate when and where…