In determining what will best help learning, the timeliness and possible reversibility of teachers' decisions are influenced by standardized achievement tests. Ways tests can supplement other performance information and confirm or challenge teachers' impressions of student achievement are described. (CM)

Comments upon a 1981 article by Alexander, Pallas, and Cook. Discusses whether particular standardized tests measure achievement or ability and the implications of this issue for school effects research. (GC)

Compared the interrater reliability of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking for gifted and nongifted elementary school students. Results indicated most interrater reliability coefficients exceeding .90 for both groups. However, multivariate analysis of variance indicated significant mean differences across the three self-trained raters for both…

Where human beings are concerned and complex behavior is involved, prediction of future performance is no simple matter. Scientifically developed, systematically standardized and carefully validated tests have emerged as the most reliable tools in predictive efficacy. If opponents of standardized testing win, society will lose. (Author/CM)

In the absence of tests, society would be faced with restricted and subjective bases for evaluating students and educational programs. Among the benefits lost would be diagnosis of learning needs, sorting of individuals by skills, feedback to students to cope with school stresses, and transmitting of intellectual values. (Author/CM)

Offers opposing views on the value of mass testing in English. (JL)

The English language writing skills of grade five students in a French immersion program were compared with those of students in the regular program and found to be no different either in overall quality or specific aspects. (Author/MSE)

Teacher judgments of student need for compensatory education were found to agree moderately with student scores on the Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS). Accuracy of teacher judgments was not influenced by student racial, ethnic, or economic characteristics, extent of individualization of instruction, or teacher training and experience.…

A comparison of three treatments (training students to take tests, training teachers to administer tests, and reinforcing reading test score improvement) showed that group achievement scores more accurately indicate what students know if motivated to do their best in tests and take tests from teachers trained to administer standardized tests.…

A pilot project in 20 Oklahoma public schools during the 1980-81 school year indicated that algebra can be mastered by students of average ability if the material is presented in increments and sufficient time is allotted for understanding to occur. (Author/WD)

A study determined that simulation-gaming was a more effective teaching technique for students with low prior knowledge of economics, low Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores, and no high school economics instruction. Lecture-discussion was more effective for those with high precourse economic knowledge, SAT scores, and high school economics…

Starting from the premise that the assessment of second language learners' competence is a must at several points during the learning process, discusses the usefulness of laboratory testing. Argues that it allows for standardized testing, facility of test administration, easy scoring, objective measures, reliability and validity of results. (MES)

Interviewed 90 elementary school teachers on how they used the results of group IQ tests. Data indicated 30 percent of teachers reported making "little or no use" of the test scores. However, 84 percent of teachers stated that they used the test scores for one or more purposes. Discusses four most frequently mentioned uses. (Author/RC)

Comparability may be obtained for the Language Assessment Scale and the Bilingual Syntax Measure through a change in classification strategies which will also improve the equivalence of the tests and their correlation with achievement. Use of the tests along with teacher ratings should then provide meaningful criteria for classification.…

Reports results of a 1979 national survey of test usage in grades 7-12. Results indicated schools continued to give tests and desired to do more testing, at least for career guidance, if funds were available. Found the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery was the most popular career guidance test. (Author/JAC)