The work presented in this paper defined conceptually the concepts of multidimensional discrimination and information, derived mathematical expressions for the concepts for a particular multidimensional item response theory (IRT) model, and applied the concepts to actual test data. Multidimensional discrimination was defined as a function of the…

For Blacks and Hispanics, standardized admission tests and licensing exams are barriers to schools and occupations. Case studies are presented of college admission tests and teacher testing that place women and minorities at a disadvantage. Test biases and misuse must be eliminated and new forms of evaluation must be developed. (VM)

In their effort to provide quality programing for their diverse student body, the Des Moines Public Schools continually evaluate their teaching and student outcomes. This report presents results about student performance on the following tests: (1) Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS); (2) Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITED); (3) American…

In 1995, the American College Testing (ACT) Program conducted a study of the effects of using a calculator in its ACT Assessment and PLAN mathematics tests taken by approximately 38,000 students. Whether there would be changes in the PLAN and ACT score scales as a result of permitting calculator use on the mathematics tests was explored with…

ACT conducts the only nationwide curriculum survey that empirically identifies current instructional practices and postsecondary expectations in order to develop tests that measure critical skills and knowledge. Every three years, it surveys thousands of middle school/junior high school, secondary, and postsecondary teachers in English/writing,…

The Des Moines Public School System (Iowa) continually evaluates the process of teaching for learning. As part of this ongoing process, this report provides information to the Board of Directors and the public about the achievement of district students on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS), Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITED), the…

The evaluation of the Minnesota College Statewide Testing Program was based on analysis of the validities of statewide and national tests for predicting freshman grades in Minnesota colleges, on interviews with directors of admission and deans of students in Minnesota colleges, and on discussions with regional gatherings of Minnesota high school…

The goal of the district assessment program of the Des Moines (Iowa) school district is to provide information which improves teaching and increases learning. Students participate in a number of assessment activities, including norm-referenced, standardized tests, college entrance examinations, Advanced Placement Tests, the district's…

This report presents the results of the largest survey and testing program for students in home schools to date. In Spring 1998, 20,760 K-12 home school students in 11,930 families were administered either the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) or the Tests of Achievement and Proficiency (TAP), depending on their current grade. The parents…

In recent years the American College Test (ACT) score decline has been largely due to the changed pool of test-takers if the limited data studied here have applicability to the national scene. Data from state testing programs and the National Assessment of Educational Progress were used to determine who takes the test and how well prepared they…

Each year the New Mexico State Department of Education and the state's 88 school districts publish report cards that provide information on the operation and performance of the schools and characteristics of its students. This report is the state-level report card, providing narrative and statistical information on an array of educational…

This report presents the papers and summarizes the group discussions of a workshop aimed at alleviating the problems of higher education access for large numbers of black and disadvantaged young people. The workshop brought together approximately 75 Mississippi school counselors and other participants for group sessions. The counselors, black and…

This collection of original papers, first published in the June and July, 1976 issues of Educational Technology Magazine, was prompted by the enormous public outcry which greeted the general public realization that achievement and college aptitude test scores were continuing in recent months and years the steady erosion which began in the…

This second statewide School Performance Report offers a snapshot of public education in Wisconsin during the 1992-93 school year. District-collected data make up the School Climate section, providing information on enrollment, attendance, suspensions, expulsions, retentions, dropouts, graduation and later education, and extracurricular and…

This paper presents the latest in a series of studies examining school district report cards for their usefulness planning and implementing school improvement. The 1992-93 Arkansas report cards were studied. These were similar to the report cards from Tennessee that were the subject of the initial study in that they used and reported a…