Formal programs of quality assurance have not characterized the field of education. There is, however, a long history of attempts to evaluate schools and to hold school personnel accountable for the education of children. Students' standardized test scores should not be regarded as a major criterion for evaluating educational quality. (RM)

The authors' reply to Thompson and Brassards's comments (TM 508 778) about their review of the Woodcock Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery (WJPEB) is presented. Issues addressed include different standardization procedures for the WJPEB and WISC-R; the ability versus achievement nature of the WJTCA; and the mean score discrepancy between the…

This report asserts that rapid changes in many areas, such as technology and communications, marked the 20th century, the first century of ability testing. Predictions about the second century of testing seem difficult in such a context. Yet, looking back to the turn of the last century, E. Kirkpatrick (1900) in his American Psychological…

In the past there were no substantial challenges to the idea that standardized, mass produced assessment would be universally beneficial. Culture was ignored or minimized as a factor in creating testing routines or in interpreting testing and assessment data. In recent years, challenges to this idea have arisen, but the primary pressure for the…

Building student abilities for taking standardized tests has certainly become an issue as testing has become increasingly important in the U.S. educational system. How much emphasis should a school or district place on educating students to do well on such tests? It is certainly possible to spend too much school time learning to take tests, and…

This paper asks whether the current form of assessment is appropriate in measuring the growth of American students in the subject of reading. First, the paper examines the argument for standardized testing of skills as an appropriate form of assessment. It then points out that the people in support of this form of testing argue that these tests…

Criticizes a study of the reliability and validity of curriculum-based reading inventories by L. S. Fuchs, D. Fuchs, and S. L. Deno and raises questions regarding the study's internal and external validity. (AEA)

Examines and rejects nine reasons given by educators for opposing externally designed tests. Suggests a tenth, unvoiced reason that may be the most valid: that testing may reveal deficiencies in the school's educational program. (PGD)

Offers opposing views of the merit of EQuality project, a high school reform movement designed to improve students' performance through curriculum changes. (JL)

Addresses problems in the interpretation of standardized reading test scores. Focuses on reading age (or reading grade) and demonstrates that converting test scores to a scale of reading ages is essentially meaningless and potentially dangerous. (AEA)

Despite the controversy over standardized testing, a 1970 survey indicates that teachers still need and want to use tests as diagnostic tools. Because of problems and abuses, however, changes need to be made so that more accurate and useful information can be derived for educational purposes. (Author/GC)

Continues the comments of author Neil Postman on the current state of education. Discusses the "back to basics" movement, standardized testing, and what went wrong with the "relevancy" revolution. (FL)

Discusses how educational practice is influenced by economic, political, and social forces that reside outside the schools or school district. (CM)

Considers why ethnically diverse students' test performance belie their intellectual capacity. Notes that much can be done at the classroom level to eradicate this achievement gap and customize "one size fits all" standards-based instruction. Interviews two teachers who work in states where high-stakes testing dominates the educational debate. (SG)

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a measure of an individual student's potential for success in college. Discusses limitations of the test and how misconceptions can prompt educators and community members to focus on the wrong goals. (MLF)