Reuven Feuerstein's Learning Potential Assessment Device and Instrumental Enrichment (LPAD/IE) system presents a valid approach to assessment, which moves from constructs, to pedagogical theory, to instruments, and to remedial strategies. This system uses standardized tests in a standard approach, but not for the purpose of the quantification of…

This paper is divided into two parts. The purpose of Part I is the review of some of the history of school average norms, beginning with Dr. E. F. Lindquist's call for such norms in 1948; the development of such norms for standardized achievement tests; current policies and practices regarding aggregated school data; and a presentation of norms…

A collection of five articles focuses on some of the factors that promote quality education in public elementary and secondary education. Each article is accompanied by a list of sources, resources, and exemplary schools or programs. The first, on student discipline, discusses how to organize schools in ways that encourage disciplined behavior…

Because testing and the use of test results are controversial subjects, parents and advocates must exercise considerable care when working to assure that tests are appropriately used in public elementary and secondary schools. One should guard against making assumptions which may have been created by widely publicized reports about test abuse.…

Measurement and evaluation have become major public issues in the legislatures and the courts. Testing legislation represents two extremes: (1) confidence in external objective measurement for high school teacher and occupational certification; and (2) distrust of the results. Since 1978, truth-in-testing bills for admissions or other standardized…

Discusses how standardized testing relates to curriculum content, the cognitive processes used in testing, learning from tests, and factors influencing test results. Focuses on testing in art education and the implications that it has for making art education part of the core curriculum. (AEM)

This discussion of proposed legislation in Congress regarding a national, standardized "Test for Academic Excellence" considers both its pros (lack of standards, incentives for excellence) and its cons (curriculum variations, funding, scoring). (CB)

Offers an argument against increased emphasis on testing, claiming that reading and writing can never be tested because the conception of reading and writing inherent in tests is faulty. Suggests alternatives that are congruent with a more adequate conception of reading and writing. (SR)

Points out that sound assessment programs should (1) be a part of instruction, (2) use varied methods and instruments, (3) focus on a broad range of skills and knowledge, (4) occur continuously, (5) occur in a variety of contexts, and (6) be appropriate for age and level of development. Offers examples of practices based on these points. (FL)

Applies a brief history of standard English usage in America to take issue with the College Board's pronouncements on basic academic competencies. Points out the underlying injustice to demand a mastery of standard English from students who, through no fault of their own, have had no chance to master it. (JK)

Argues that overreliance on standardized tests contributes to the deterioration of educational standards, teacher passivity, and lack of student involvement in academic studies, thus undermining democratic education; lists several alternatives to standardized testing. (MCG)

Discusses (1) perspectives from which standardized test developers, users, and interpreters must consider test results; (2) test components that affect student test performance; (3) test abuses that contribute to the shortening of tests; and (4) how educators can effect a change in the increased reliance on standardized tests. (HTH)

In this brief, the authors examine the creation, evolution, and expansion of Philadelphia's diverse provider model through the lens of this theory of change; they show that the beliefs and assumptions underlying the diverse provider model have been amended over time; and they illustrate how district and provider leaders have reshaped the model in…

This article looks at current research concerning how students best learn the discipline of history, commentaries both in favor of and against standardized testing, and basic philosophical beliefs about the discipline. It explains methods of how to incorporate differentiated lessons and performance based assessments to NCLB standards and…

There are a plethora of ways which may be used to ascertain learner achievement in reading. This paper discusses such procedures. Comprehensive teacher observation of reading, using quality criteria, can be an excellent approach to assess reading progress. Selected criteria are discussed. Six categories of word recognition skills are important.…