Various operational definitions of test bias are discussed including those which involve rater judgment, statistical methods which use an external criterion, and statistical methods in which no external criterion is used. It is concluded that the Rasch model provides a theoretically acceptable method for detecting item bias. The Rasch Model is…

THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES CANDIDATES WITH INFORMATION ON THE NATURE AND CONTENT OF THE TESTS, WHERE AND WHEN THEY ARE GIVEN, REGISTRATION PROCEDURES, HOW TO TAKE THE TESTS, AND MEANING AND USES OF TEST SCORES. THE TESTS MEASURE COMPETENCE IN THE AREAS OF LISTENING COMPREHENSION, SPEAKING, READING, WRITING, APPLIED LINGUISTICS, CIVILIZATION AND…

THIS STUDY TRACES THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL, INTERCULTURAL, AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLS WITH INTERNATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS (CHURCH-RELATED, PROPRIETARY, COMPANY, OVERSEAS, AND INDIVIDUAL GOVERNMENT-OPERATED FOR INTERNATIONAL CLIENTELE). PARTICULAR REFERENCE IS MADE TO SUCH INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS AS THE…

THE USE OF TESTS IN THE EDUCATION OF THE CULTURALLY DEPRIVED IS PRESENTED. APPROPRIATE USE OF SUCH TESTS CAN MAKE SOME CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DISCOVERY OF TALENT, TO THE DIAGNOSIS OF LEARNING DIFFICULTIES, AND TO THE BETTER GUIDANCE AND ADJUSTMENT OF CULTURALLY DEPRIVED CHILDREN. MOST TESTS MEASURE ABILITY OR APTITUDE AND ACHIEVEMENT. THE FORMER…

The general purposes of this study were to investigate the factorial validity of the Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS), Reading Comprehension subtest, and to study the item difficulties in order to determine areas of strengths and weaknesses of sixth and seventh grade Elementary Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title I students. A sample of…

Seven criteria for selecting and describing the standardization sample of the Metropolitan Achievement Test (MAT), 1978 edition are discussed. Four major variables were used to describe the sample: socioeconomic status; school district enrollment; public vs. nonpublic; and geographic region. Both forms and all grade levels of the Survey Battery…

This study investigated the effects of the use of hand-held calculators on problem solving and computational skills of elementary school students. It also considers the resulting implications for curriculum change. Evaluation focused on achievement in problem solving, computational skills, and number concepts of kindergarten, second grade, and…

This guide is organized into five chapters; (1) an approach to testing--decisions made from test results, types of achievement tests, types and levels of objectives, and test validity, reliability, and practicality; (2) classroom test construction--planning, item banks, item writing, assembly, administration, and scoring; (3) test analysis-item…

The basic rationale for using standardized tests for college admission, credit, and placement is that they are relevant and reliable. Such tests require the student to demonstrate the kind of competence that schools teach--the kind of competence required to work effectively in the modern world, to develop fully the human potential, and to enjoy…

The Minister's Advisory Committee on Student Achievement (MACOSA) of Alberta, Canada studied student achievement in grades 3, 6, 9, and 12. Students were tested in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies (grade 12 only). Tests were based upon cognitive objectives considered to be important to the curriculum, and results were to…

A computerized adaptive testing model was applied to a hierarchically arranged series of subtests within the instructional context of a technical education system. The model was a modification of Lord's flexilevel paradigm; however, it did not allow for individualized entry. Two achievement tests, each divided into five hierarchically related…

A historical perspective on several issues related to the development of equal opportunity in higher education is presented in these speeches. Six authors address the following issues: (1) the black college in historical perspective (Stephen Wright); (2) the development of equal opportunity in relation to historical patterns in higher education…

This report reviews the results of the Australian Surveys of Primary School Achievement given every five years from 1955 to 1970. It compares results of the tests and explains why the survey was discontinued in 1975. Subjects were approximately 1,000 fifth-grade and 1,000 seventh-grade students selected as a representative sample of Australian…

The aims of the report are threefold: (1) to assess the general level of social studies learning of seventh grade students in California public schools; (2) to provide a comparison of the general level of social studies learning to those of other curriculum areas; and (3) to provide a comparison of the relative level of social studies learning by…

Skills necessary for students in grades K-12 to have and use in the library are the topic of this curriculum guide. Behavioral objectives are presented in the following categories: orientation in the use of the library media center, care of materials, materials selection, circulation procedures, library media terminology, nonbook materials and…