Over 2,000 writing samples were collected from four undergraduate institutions and compared, where possible, with scores on a multiple-choice test. High correlations between ratings of the writing samples and multiple-choice test scores were obtained. Samples contributed substantially to the prediction of both college grades and writing…

The Advanced Placement Program evolved from the School and College Study of Admission with Advanced Standing. Its progenitors sought to encourage and reward able and ambitious students, to focus on subject matter, to bring school and college teachers together, and to eliminate the lock-step in education. (Author/MLW)

A parent's perspective on testing and the U.S. educational system and on how today's society values quality and achievement is presented. Uninformed parental expectation and less informed, less dedicated, and less imaginative teaching are seen as resulting in diplomas awarded for attendance, automatic passing of students, and deterioration of…

Norm referenced data were utilized for determining the mastery cutoff score on a criterion referenced test. Once a cutoff score on the norm referenced measure is selected, the cutoff score on the criterion referenced measure becomes that score which maximizes proportion of consistent classifications and proportion of improvement beyond change. (CP)

Contrary to findings of the Educational Testing Service and the College Board, the authors contend that coaching can effectively help raise student scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). They argue that the SAT is not in fact a measure of "aptitude" and that high school grades and achievement tests are better predictors of…

Describes an objective-referenced test in mathematics developed by Educational Testing service to assess 40 of the Delaware statewide objectives of fourth-grade students. This test provides information on comprehensive mathematics skills to both administrators and teachers. (DS)

The author briefly discusses ten of the important events in education during the last decade. (IRT)

Seven considerations in designing the Title I Evaluation and Reporting System are reviewed: satisfying state, local, and federal needs; summative evaluation; differences in Title I subprograms; local use of different achievement tests; comparative analysis data; use of approved evaluation designs; and use of a common reporting metric. (MH)

This article discusses identification methods and practices for gifted education and barriers to appropriate identification. Internet addresses are provided for accessing federal legislation requirements, a multiple intelligences framework for identification, the Renzulli Enrichment Triad model, and 13 assessments used to identify gifted students.…

Evaluates whether the "Degrees of Reading Power" reading achievement test (1) is a testing and teaching tool; (2) is a valid reading assessment; (3) should be used for third grade; and (4) correlates with other reading tests. Questions whether the test's Readability Report information really reflects test scores. (SR)

Describes a study that used students' scores on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, disaggregated by student intelligence test scores and socioeconomic status, to assess the quality and equity of 15 elementary schools in a mid-western school district. Reports comparative and longitudinal data for each district. (DMM)

Reviews eight recently published reports focusing on affirmative action in higher education. Discusses the following topics: (1) college admission policies; (2) minority student performance on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT); (3) school desegregation; and (4) minority group teachers. (FMW)

In their discussion of problems related to identifying learning disabilities with individually administered achievement tests, Phillips and Clarizio incorrectly conclude that developmental standard score scales produce unrealistic expectations for the growth of low-achieving students. By definition, these scores state how much the norm group's…

Using the production-function approach and data from Baltimore (Maryland) public elementary schools, a study shows that school size minimally affects student performance on standardized achievement tests. Regression analysis shows the importance of students' socioeconomic status and negative effects of school input measures such as teacher/pupil…

The Level-11 vocabulary subtest of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills was analyzed using a two-stage latent trait approach and data set of 2,356 examinees, approximately 11 years of age. It is concluded that the nonparametric approach leads to efficient estimation of the latent trait. (SLD)