Haertel's argument is that one must "expand the scope of test validation to include indirect testing effects" because these effects are often the "rationale for the entire testing program." The author strongly agrees that this is essential. However, he maintains that Haertel's argument does not go far enough and that there are two additional…

Three studies evaluating the validity of the descriptors and exemplars of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) as characterizations of the actual mathematics performance of students at achievement levels are reported. Serious inconsistencies were found between actual performance and descriptors and exemplars. Recommendations for…

Reports on an ongoing evaluation of the Vermont portfolio assessment program. Indicates that the positive news about the instructional effects of the assessment program are in contrast with the empirical findings about the quality of the data the program has yielded. (SLD)

The use of achievement levels and anchor points in press reports of the 1990 National Assessment of Educational Progress mathematics assessment was studied. In a review of 41 articles, widespread oversimplification and frequent misinterpretations were found, sometimes stemming from standards-based reporting. Implications for future standards-based…

Student test scores are increasingly used to judge the competence of the educational enterprise. Exaggeration of scores is the result of directing attention away from the individual student achievement to the average scores of schools, districts, and states. Implications and recommendations are discussed. (BJV)

Studies of the mathematics assessments of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) are summarized. One study found that omit rates for NAEP test items were higher for African Americans and Hispanics than for whites. The other found that descriptions and examples for the 1992 mathematics achievement levels were misleading. (SLD)