This study provides data on norming and performance standards on the Stanford Achievement Test, 9th Edition, for both hearing and deaf students. It graphically analyzes these data in the context of interpreting individual test scores, examining achievement of groups of students, and specifically, interpreting test scores of high achieving deaf and…

Oppositely valenced forces may be at work to influence rates of placement of children into mental retardation programs. On one hand, educational policies regarding intellectual disability and concerns about overrepresentation of minorities in special education may contribute to lower placement rates; on the other hand, more difficult intelligence…

The factor structure of a new co-normed cognitive and achievement battery for children, the Differential Ability Scales (DAS) was investigated. The DAS was factor analyzed in conjunction with the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (PPVT-R), and the composite score of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS). Subjects were 56 six- to…

A pictorial self-concept inventory for Mexican-American children was developed and validated. A primary concern was the adequate selection of pictures that would be relevant to the child's cultural background and environment. Another concern was the development of subscales which would measure the areas of sense of control, social self, academic…

The Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning--Revised (DIAL-R) is a standardized developmental screening instrument designed to assess the motor, language (both receptive and expressive), and conceptual skill levels of children 2 to 6 years of age. The appropriateness of national norms for children in Kentucky was studied in a…

The North Carolina End-of-Course Testing Program was established to provide student, school, and school system information about achievement in high school courses. Approximately 83.4 percent of the 77,154 students who took the biology test were in the tenth grade. Students taking biology in the ninth grade (8.3 percent) were on an accelerated…

The linguistic norm for testing and instructing Students of Limited-English-Proficiency (SLEPs) is that of a monolingual native speaker of English. The claim is made that this norm is not implemented accurately in testing and instruction and that a bilingual norm for testing and instruction would be more appropriate. The failure to implement…

The ability of the Rasch model to provide item difficulties and achievement test scores which are invariant is studied. Data for the study were obtained from students in grades 3 through 7 who took the Sequential Tests of Educational Progress (STEP III) Reading and Mathematics Concepts tests during a spring norming study. Each test contained 50…

The efficacy of Raven's Matrices in the gifted identification process is reviewed, focusing on their reliability, validity, and fairness and comparing them with other intelligence tests. It is concluded that, despite problems with narrowness of scope and standardization practices, these tests provide a useful screening device for intellectually…

Presents (1) a list of American Chemical Society (ACS) chemistry examinations available for the 1985 testing program (including seven new tests) and (2) condensed norms for the most recent tests (including Brief Organic Chemistry Form 1984-B and High School Advanced Chemistry Form 1984-ADV). (JN)

Grade equivalent (GE) scores for elementary school achievement tests are defended in response to efforts to ban their use. Equal interval developmental scoring methods for the Sequential Tests of Educational Progress and the Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills are criticized. (BS)

Describes a procedure for developing local norms for any type of criterion referenced, standardized, or locally developed test given in a school or system. (FL)

Discusses the problems associated with "grading on a curve," the approach often used for standard setting on language proficiency tests. Proposes four main steps presented in the setting of a non-arbitrary cut-score. These steps not only establish a proficiency standard checked by external criteria, but also check to see that the test covers the…

Normative data for 198 urban children (four to eight years old) who speak Black American English (BAE) were obtained on the Test of Language Development. Results revealed speakers of BAE differed significantly in performance from children on whom test was standardized. Difference in performance was reflected in overall test scores and in…

The investigation's purpose was to revise E. Hill's test for assessing the development of spatial concepts among visually impaired children, "Concepts Involved in Body Position and Space;" establish the test's validity and reliability; and collect normative data. (Author)