The development of a test design methodology used to construct a criterion-referenced System Achievement Test (CR-SAT) for selected Naval enlisted classification (NEC) in the Strategic Weapon System (SWS) of the United States Navy is described. Subject matter experts, training data analysts and educational specialists developed a comprehensive…

In 1972, the Oregon State Department of Education changed its standards relating to graduation requirements after a survey revealed concern that the high school diploma had lost its credibility. Parkrose School District developed a goal-based curriculum and measurement program to meet the new requirements. From the program's inception, District…

Recent changes in the structure of curriculum and the instructional system in Texas have required a major reorganization of teaching, evaluating, budgeting, and planning activities in the local education agencies, which has created the need for a database. The history of Richardson Instructional Management System (RIMS), its data processing…

A study examined (1) relationships between background knowledge and reading passage comprehension, (2) the reliability of a passage-specific background knowledge measure used as the knowledge criterion, (3) the effect of a prereading language and concept organizer activity on available background knowledge, and (4) the effect of that prereading…

Kansas law requires setting passing scores for the reading and mathematics competency test for 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 11th grade students, administered annually since April of 1980. New objective-referenced tests are prepared each year. Both judgmental (Angoff, Ebel, and Nedelsky) methods and empirical (contrasting groups and borderline) methods…

This study investigated the use of word-visuals to aid university students' recall by examining relationships that exist among levels of learners' recall resulting from different presentation modes; between levels of field-dependent and field-independent learners' recall; and between levels of field-dependent and field-independent learners' recall…

The causal effects of time spent in learning (TSL) and time needed for learning (TTL) on the reading and spelling achievement of 171 fourth and fifth grade students were investigated. TTL contributed significantly to achievement, and its direct effect was greater than TSL. Results also support a Carroll's learning model. (Author/BS)

Provides an alternative analysis of the reliability associated with the van Hiele Geometry Test based on the assumption that the norm-referenced reliability coefficients provided by the developers were inappropriate. Discusses the agreement coefficient and the kappa coefficient. (YP)

Although the criterion problem has been acknowledged as critical in personnel research, few attempts have been made to systematically examine the nature and covariates of criterion measures of performance. The present research used meta-analytic techniques to examine the race effect size for objective measures of performance and to compare the…

In 1984 an evaluation team examined the Maryland Functional Testing Program (MFTP), a statewide competency-based, criterion-referenced testing program that was instituted to limit awarding of high school diplomas to those students who had earned scores above cut scores on a series of achievement tests. This article examines the procedures the…

Open testing and test disclosure legislation has fostered a renewed interest in the problems and issues associated with test equating. This paper focuses on a specific application of test equating, that of professional and occupational testing for certification and licensure. Test equating is the process of making test scores from different forms…

The comprehensive system of external examinations in Scotland has undergone major changes. The external examination system has been expanded to cover the entire secondary school curriculum. The examinations will now be administered to all students. The "continuum" model of criterion referenced tests has been adopted for the school…

This paper presents an evaluation of Army job training development and testing practices, with a focus on Advanced Individual Testing. Information comes from intensive interviews with school instructors and from observations in the schools. Results indicate that some aspects of the Instructional Systems Development (ISD) model have been…

The problem of setting standards has always been an issue in the educational community. This paper offers an outline of one state's procedure for setting a passing score for a competency-based test in mathematics. The Maryland Functional Mathematics Test (MFMT) becomes a graduation prerequisite for the graduating class of 1987. The procedures used…

Standards, passing scores, or cut scores have been seen as an element of criterion-referenced tests since their introduction. This paper discusses at least two issues surrounding the establishment of cut scores which appear to need clarification: (1) the theoretical definition of a cut score; and (2) decisions which must be made in selecting a…