Considers how the concept of "literacy," especially intensified by the current conservative political climate, has been falsely reified as a clearly distinct "thing" that can be taught and tested in simple and standardized ways. Identifies literacy competencies as "subrosa literacy" and describes detailed performances of these abilities (including…

Considers how the views of Quintilian provide a new lens for examining the writing process and its components as advocated by D. Graves, D. Murray, and others. Notes that the Quintilian Progression contains guidelines to support teachers and students as they endeavor to become more effective writers and critical thinkers. (SG)

Argues that standardized tests can provide limited guidance, in conjunction with student writing samples, in the decision whether students should be exempted from freshmen writing courses. Suggests that students who write well but whose performance is unstable can be affected, positively or negatively, by exemption results. Suggests that students'…

Presents three fictional scenarios each based on very different kinds of facts: the very clear data of test scores, the ambiguous data of behaviors, and the concrete but infinitely interpretable data of portfolios. Notes that the data represented by the portfolio is much more appropriate to assessing language competencies than is data represented…

An overview of the 18 mathematics examinations offered by the College Board is provided. In addition to summaries of the purpose and content of each of the tests, the general purposes of the examination system, faculty involvement in test preparation, and the use of hand-held calculators during testing are discussed. Tables review the tests, the…

The purpose of this handbook is to acquaint principals and teachers with the California Achievement Tests, mandated by the Maryland State Department of Education. Reports of the test results are also discussed. The first chapter describes the test and provides examples of question formats. A table of the objectives measured is also included. The…

Seventeen nationally normed, standardized achievement tests were judged appropriate by the Illinois Title I Test Review Committee for use with Model A-1 in evaluation of Illinois Title I programs. They are the California Achievement Tests, CIRCUS, Gates-MacGinitie Reading Tests, Iowa Tests of Basic Skills, Iowa Tests of Educational Development,…

This brief introduction to testing is geared to parents. Types of tests are defined, such as standardized tests, achievement tests, norm referenced tests, criterion referenced tests, and aptitude tests. Various types of scores (grade equivalent, percentile rank, and stanine are also defined, and the uses made of tests by administrators, teachers,…

The paper cross references test items with curricula used in the Macomb (Illinois) 0-3 Regional Project for rural handicapped and high risk infants and toddlers. The procedure is explained to determine whether the activities a child experiences relate to the test items used at the conclusion of that child's learning period. Three tests (The…

The article reviews error analysis procedures for two subtests of the Peabody Individual Achievement Test (reading recognition and reading comprehension). Suggestions are offered for composing and interpreting a pattern of errors on items from each subtest. (CL)

This fastback provides information about what tests can and cannot do, how they are constructed, and how they are used and misused. It offers suggestions about how best to interpret test results. The chapters are: (1) "A Test on Testing"; (2) "Basic Considerations"; (3) "Standardized Tests"; (4) "Performance Tests"; (5) "Interpreting Test Scores";…

This guide shows how to integrate assessment with teaching and learning to reach educational goals. The aim is to present assessment concepts in a concise manner that can be understood and applied by teachers, administrators, and other school personnel. The chapters, organized around major assessment topics, are: (1) "Integrating Assessment with…

Six statistical methods for identifying possible sources of bias in standardized test items are presented. The relationship between chi-squared methods and item-response theory methods are also discussed. (Author/BW)

Argues that the absence of the arts in testing programs contributes to their marginalization. Considers the role of imaginative potential in determining what is important in schools. Considers what the arts have to do with literacy, that is, with the standard conceptions of reading and writing. Discusses transforming brains to minds, the arts as…

Focuses on some basic questions regarding assessment in higher education that may be useful to administrators in speech communication facing pressures to develop an assessment program. (KEH)