This study examined technical features of slopes produced from curriculum-based measures (CBM) of beginning writing. Eighty-five first-graders completed weekly sentence copy, picture-word, and story prompts for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, testing revealed alternate-form reliability and criterion validity of CBM scores generally similar to those…

This study investigated the technical adequacy of 3 simple, 1-min curriculum-based measurements (CBM) for predicting third (n = 35) and fifth (n = 49) graders' performance on a state standards test of mathematics. Measures included 2 numeric CBMs: a traditional basic facts measure and a new "cloze" math facts measure, designed to require deeper…

As a part of a project to develop formative evaluation systems for teachers to improve learning disabilities (LD) service programs in written expression, three concurrent validity studies were conducted on the relationship between performances on behavioral measures of written expression and performances on standardized achievement measures of…

Curriculum-based measurement (CBM) combines the advantages of informal assessment and commercial standardized tests. Reliability and validity research on CBM is cited along with its benefits in special education (improved communication, increased sensitivity, improved database, and peer referencing). (CL)

The monograph considers four issues in behavioral assessment of learning disabled (LD) students: primary assumptions of the behavioral approach, identification of LD students, program planning for identified students, and program evaluation. Among factors examined in the first section are the components of experimental analysis of behavior,…

This article provides a brief history of curriculum-based measurement (CBM), clarifies its relationship to curriculum-based assessment, summarizes the primary features of CBM, and gives a rationale for its design. Extensions of CBM to new research domains are identified, and a perspective is provided in the place of CBM in the broader context of…

The effects of two components of formative evaluation (frequency of measurement and data utilization) were compared to isolate formative evaluation components which teachers might routinely use to monitor achievement in learning disabled students. Fifty-two learning disabled and educable mentally retarded elementary students enrolled in regular…

Reading placements based on teacher judgment, standardized testing, and curriculum-based assessment were compared for 91 elementary students. Results indicated that although correlations among the three placement approaches were high, the congruency of scores from the three approaches was not, ranging from 48% to 69%. The most dramatic evidence of…

An approach for systematically observing and recording behavioral difference in the classroom is described, and its use with 11 behavior problem elementary students is discussed. The author points out the importance of peer sampling and the use of multiple observations to avoid erroneous conclusions. A case study of a second grade child…

The main purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how to apply the Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) technique to multi-wave Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) measures in modeling academic growth and assessing its relations to student-and instruction-related variables. HLM has advantages over other statistical methods (e.g., repeated measures…

Three concurrent validity studies were conducted on the relationship between performances on formative measures of spelling and performances on standardized spelling achievement measures using learning disabled (LD) and non-LD elementary students. Results of correlational analysis for four formative measures and three standardized measures…

A study examined the reliability and validity of curriculum-based measurement indicators in written expression for 112 middle school students. The most reliable and valid predictor of student writing proficiency as measured by both teacher ratings and a district writing test was correct minus incorrect word sequences. (Contains references.)…

Evidence exists that reading achievement can be measured simply and validly by having students read aloud for one minute from vocabulary lists drawn from their basal reading series. Direct and frequent measurement of student performance using this procedure provides a means for continuously evaluating a student's instructional program. The present…

Three concurrent validity studies were conducted to determine the relationship between performances on formative measures of reading and standardized achievement measures of reading. Correlational analyses for five formative measures and three standardized measures provided evidence for the validity of Words in Isolation, Words in Context, and…

Problems associated with the school psychologists traditional assessment functions and methodology are identified and contrasted with the need for assessment information that can contribute meaningfully to the formulation and evaluation of educational interventions. (Author/LMO)