Examines whether students who are intrinsically motivated about learning procrastinate less than those students who are externally motivated and also explores the consequences of procrastination. Indicates that students whose motivation is external are more likely to procrastinate while procrastination is associated with poor academic performance…

A study evaluating Dutch elementary students by IQ, socioeconomic status, math and language test scores, and expected and actual school recommendations found that pupil scores in high-effective schools are almost 12 points higher than those in low-effective schools. Higher SES and IQ meant higher teacher recommendations. (Contains 21 references.)…

Reports initial findings from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study--Repeat (TIMSS-R). Includes the performance of U.S. eighth-grade students relative to students in other nations in 1999, as well as changes in achievement in participating nations between 1995 and 1999. (Author)

Reviewing the results of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study-Repeat (TIMSS-R) shows that U.S. eighth graders are about average in mathematics and science when compared to students in other countries. The primary lesson from the TIMSS-R is that children learn what they are taught. (SLD)

An eight-year cross-sectional study analyzed the self-esteem and both mathematics and reading attainments of eight cohorts of Year 2 and Year 6 children from five randomly selected primary schools within one Local Education Authority. Presents the results. Addresses the possible link between national testing and self-esteem. (CMK)

Currently in the United States there is considerable interest in developing a system of examinations that is substantially different from the large-scale testing programs presently in use in this country. These new exams would involve a different form of assessment than current tests and would also enable greater local control over the…

This report gives the 1990 results of the Primary Assessment Program (PAP). The program monitors achievement in reading and mathematics in urban and Aboriginal schools in the Northern Territory (Australia). It provides feedback to schools on the performance of their students in basic skills and provides indicators of performance for public…

In 1989, 682,728 people (7% less than in 1988) took the Tests of General Educational Development (GED Tests). Approximately 68% earned scores sufficient to qualify for the GED diploma awarded by their jurisdictions. Departments and ministries of education in the United States and Canada awarded 376,879 credentials (down 13% from 1988) based on GED…

After the 1984-85 evaluation of the Special Needs Project in the North York, Ontario Schools, it was decided to extend the standardized achievement testing for the 1985-86 school year. Because of previous test validity problems, testing was continued under more uniform conditions; practice tests were available and the achievement tests were…

The Social Studies Assessment Program was a province-wide assessment of Social Studies concepts, skills, and attitudes in grades 3, 6, 9, and 12 in Manitoba (Canada) carried out during April, 1984. Designed to provide a profile of student performance on program objectives, the test was administered to a representative sample of students at each…

The relationship between several individual difference variables and test performance using computerized adaptive testing (CAT) was studied with 208 South Korean college students. The general individual difference variable selected was test anxiety, and the math-related individual difference variables were mathematics aptitude, math test anxiety,…

The way in which public examinations influence teaching and learning is commonly described as "washback" or backwash. This study examined the nature and scope of the impact of a public examination on English teaching in Taiwan to add to the existing literature on testing washback in an English-as-a-second-language context. The relational…

In a study conducted in Ireland, factor analysis of IQ, mathematics, and English standardized test scores, together with the 15 teacher ratings, showed that there is overlap between ratings and test results but that the information obtained is not redundant. (Author/RL)

Examines the processes employed by subjects in Hong Kong engaged in an English-as-a-Second-Language discourse cloze test. Think-aloud protocols obtained from test-takers indicate the reasoning and strategies employed in selecting items to complete gaps in the cloze passage. Findings reveal the test-taking behavior of the subjects and presents a…

Studies the language proficiency of the Turkish returnees from Germany who were either born in Germany or emigrated there with their parents at a young age. Results indicate that returnees have a deficit in cognitive academic language proficiency compared to control groups and that a correlation exists between language proficiency in Turkish,…