This article gives a personal account of the effects of a district-wide policy of "teaching to the test" on teachers, administrators, and the curriculum. The effects include low teacher morale and incidents of cheating by administrators and teachers. (IAH)

A practical approach is outlined for adapting teacher-made tests to meet the needs of mildly handicapped mainstreamed students. The approach calls for modifying test construction, test administration, and test sites, and teaching test-taking strategies. A table lists test-taking problems (poor comprehension, poor auditory or visual perception,…

The effect of test expectancy on preferred strategy use and test performance on factual and higher-level questions in learning from expository text was studied, using 42 undergraduates who reported their study strategies and completed a multiple-choice test. Test expectancy affected neither preferred strategy use nor test performance. (SLD)

Explores metacognitive strategies that can help students with learning disabilities significantly raise their Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores. META-TEST SAT contracts that outline a student's personal test-taking strategy are explained, along with possible test accommodations, test-taking tips, and practice strategies. A mini-case study is…

Presents and evaluates a pilot program to reduce test anxiety and related social-evaluative concerns. The Testbusters program teaches effective study habits, study skills, and test-taking strategies for children in grades 4 through 7. Results indicate that Testbusters decreased general levels of test anxiety and improved overall grade point…

Describes 12 things principals can do to raise student performance on state tests, such as hiring quality teachers, making accountability a schoolwide responsibility, aligning the school curriculum with state standards, emphasizing higher level thinking skills, and integrating instruction on test-taking skills. (PKP)

Teachers can implement effective strategies to assist test-anxious students. By being aware of the types of student with these traits, they can develop, modify, and implement various strategies into their teaching repertoires. Furthermore, teachers who employ formative factors, habitual prudence, purposeful learning experiences, and test-wise…

With his 10th book, Improving Test Scores: A Practical Approach for Teachers and Administrators, Scott Mandel outlines steps educators can take to boost achievement on standardized exams while maintaining the integrity of their day-to-day teaching. Mandel, who holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from USC, teaches history and English at…

Seventeen behaviorally disordered adolescents received training in specific test-taking skills relevant to content area and teacher-made tests. The experimental subjects scored significantly and substantially higher on a posttest of test-taking skills than did untrained matched controls. Deficits on test-taking skills may contribute to observed…

Discusses the revision of the curriculum for college-bound students. States three apparent needs: conceptual knowledge, note- and test-taking skills, and critical thinking skills. Provides suggestions for developing these areas, devoting much attention to critical thinking. (GEA)

Describes the Learning Disability Program at the University of Vermont that focuses on discovering students' central processing deficits and offering compensatory training, modifying students' academic program if necessary, and providing socioemotional support. Discusses faculty-student relationship, the State Board Exam, and program participant…

The development of an intervention program initiated by the Kentucky Department of Education to ensure that minority education majors have access to training in skills needed for standardized tests is described. (MT)

Examines why analytical thinking should be a major focus of teaching in the reading and writing classroom. (HOD)

A survey of 479 graduating seniors from three different high schools reveals the majority of the students were not adequately trained in study skills. Includes a copy of the survey questionnaire. (MD)

In 1982, Lansing (Michigan) Public Schools took the stance that their low Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) scores were not reflective of what their students really knew and that, with some short- and long-range planning, scores would improve dramatically. The districtwide effort is briefly described here. (BW)