Describes cultural bias at four levels: lexico-syntactic, content and concepts, social and cognitive, and schematic or frame of reference. A study is described which provides examples of cultural bias in reading comprehension items because of a mismatch between the culture of the test item and that of the test taker.

During 1969 the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement began a series of cross-cultural studies to investigate the workings of multiple-choice achievement tests and student guessing behaviors. Empirical models to correct for guessing are discussed in terms of test item difficulty, number of response choices,…

University of Oklahoma College of Medicine's policies regarding the National Board of Medical Examiners Part I examination affected students' exam performance. The examination was mandatory and a passing score was needed for promotion. A new mandatory review course resulted in higher scores even when the examination was no longer required.…

For each of six randomly selected elementary students, their teachers were asked to predict whether the student had responded correctly or incorrectly to selected items on a standardized achievement test that recently had been administered in the district. Results were consistent with other research. (Author/LMO)

The new National Collegiate Athletic Association standards for freshman eligibility for participation in athletics have precipitated a volatile debate, especially regarding standarized testing. Some contended that the vote on the proposal has racial overtones. (MLW)

Recent changes in the objectives and techniques of testing India's university students are examined, including trends toward continuous rather than biennial or annual evaluation; internal (institutional) rather than external, standardized examinations; replacement of essay exams with more objective methods; and a letter grading system. (MSE)

Suggests how parents can assess a school's effectiveness by examining criterion referenced standardized achievement test results. Discusses (1) which test results will be used, (2) how the data should be analyzed, and (3) into what groups students should be separated to compare test results. (GC)

Indicates that the test knowledge of teachers, administrators, district personnel, and legislators is limited. (FL)

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)

This review summarizes research findings on the topics of impulsive-reflexive cognitive style of problem solving, first graders' behavior suggesting racial segregation, a reanalysis of "High School and Beyond," children's collaborative problem solving while sharing a computer, the match between tests instruction, and students' choice of…

Many standardized measures with norms are available, but their utility for interinstitutional research, evaluation, and decision making is questioned. It is concluded that there seems to be little reason for using the standardized instruments now available, but that other sorts of instruments probably would not be any more useful for comparative…

Testing in the nation's schools is on the rise. From the classroom quiz to the large-scale standardized test, the pressure for education to be "accountable" has intensified. As children experience this new tide of testing, it is helpful to become more aware of the different types of tests and their purposes. Students in the United States…

Fourteen schools in Oregon have completed their three-year implementation plans as a part of Oregon's Round 2 funding cycle. Seven schools are currently in Round 3 and eight schools are currently in Round 4. Oregon SEA staff worked closely with these schools as they evaluated progress made during their implementation. This report includes an…

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) made it clear that states, districts, and schools are to hold high expectations for all students and work to improve outcomes for low performing groups. A central part of these mandated improvement efforts is using data to identify groups of students who are achieving poorly on statewide tests and find…

The National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) has been tracking and analyzing state policies on assessment participation and accommodations since 1992. The purpose of the current analysis is to update information on these policies that was last reported by NCEO in 2002 (based on 2001 data). The current analysis of states' 2003 participation…