The current study examined the effect of using laptops on the spelling skills of students with learning disabilities (LD). It was conducted as part of the Israeli "Katom" (A Computer for Every Class, Student, and Teacher) Program. Participants included 93 Hebrew-speaking students with LD aged 13-16, who attend 10 special education…

Using Israeli biology matriculation examination results from 1983 and 1984, this article compares the achievement of Arab and Jewish students on the paper and pencil examinations and the practical laboratory examinations. Achievement differences between girls and boys are discussed, as well as the effects of a inquiry-oriented biology curriculum.…

Describes the problems inherent in scoring performance assessment on a large scale, focusing on the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and scoring for Israeli students. In spite of the weaknesses in the scoring approach, the effort seems to have empowered teachers. (SLD)

The intended, implemented, and actually achieved chemistry curricula were studied in 26 Israeli high schools (514 students) through review of the planned curriculum, questionnaires, and test results. In spite of the intended and implemented curricula's goals, actual achievement is low, particularly in the area of application of principles. (SLD)

A task specification chart that integrates the content facets and the procedural steps of a specified task is suggested as a tool for designing a test and interpreting its results. This procedure is demonstrated for a mathematics test covering one instructional unit on adding and subtracting fractions. (Author/GDC)

Differential tendencies to avoid guessing on the Psychometric Entrance Test (the Israeli college entrance examination) were studied as a function of language group, gender, and examination date for over 10,000 students. Students with different cultural backgrounds and genders differed in their tendencies to guess. Implications for test results are…

Test data from 1,305 Israeli fifth graders involved in the Second International Science Study were analyzed to assess the role of in-school versus out-of-school activities on scientific knowledge. Most of the knowledge that children master within the school is the same as that which they master outside the school. (TJH)

Effects of aspirations, homework, and scores on standardized tests (endogenous variables) on teachers' grades and effects of exogenous variables of socioeconomic status and gender on endogenous variables were studied for 753 Israeli elementary school students. Complex effects are discussed. Teachers tended to grade students properly, according to…