The Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project (MDTP) offers course-specific assessments that provide teachers with timely feedback on their students' strengths and weaknesses in mathematics, often returning feedback to teachers on individual students and the entire class within a week of testing. In this way, teachers can quickly act on what they…

Reports on an ongoing evaluation of the Vermont portfolio assessment program. Indicates that the positive news about the instructional effects of the assessment program are in contrast with the empirical findings about the quality of the data the program has yielded. (SLD)

In the Louisiana Basic Skills Testing (BST) program, initiated in 1982, criterion-referenced tests of language arts and mathematics were administered to all second grade students. Longitudinal data over three years tracked four cohorts of students to address when retention appears to be most effective and whether a combination of repeated…

This study examined the relationship between student performance in language arts and mathematics following state-funded remedial services addressing identified deficient skills and variables selected to represent potential additional instruction in these same skills: participation in Chapter 1, participation in special education, and retention in…

This report is designed to provide New Jersey Congressional legislators with current information on the effectiveness of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 (ECIA) Chapter 1 Program in New Jersey. Data on the reading and mathematics performance of ECIA Chapter 1 students in grades 2 through 8 from participating districts were…

During 1980-81, 189 Texas school districts and 6 special projects provided programs designed to meet the needs of 111,703 migrant children. Programs provided instructional (reading, mathematics, English language arts) and noninstructional support (dental and medical services, transportation, clothing) services. Parental involvement and student…

This report describes the procedures of a systemwide testing program established by the Ottawa, Ontario, education board to evaluate high school student performance in selected courses. The project was initiated in response to a directive from trustees, who were concerned about variation of academic standards among students in relation to…

The paper reviews previous research studies and conferences which have dealt with the question of whether large-scale testing programs are effective. It is concluded that such programs, defined as efforts to determine the status of student achievement on a school, district, state, or national basis, are not serving the informational needs of the…

The evolution of the California Assessment Program from its legislative origins in 1961 is discussed. The following topics are included: history; analysis and reporting of results; program impact; program assessment; and future changes in emphasis. (MH)

The needs of students in the public schools of Colorado are reviewed in a report that contains two types of information: (1) descriptions of some educational outcomes commonly desired in Colorado, as found in statements of goals and objectives; and (2) descriptions of student performance on the assessment inventory given in the spring of 1971.…

The report presents the fourth evaluation of the Ohio Career Development Program for Grades K-10. Although career education programs appeared to be successful on observation, the administration of curriculum-based tests in 1973 showed no major difference between results of the program and nonprogram students. Policy studies in education developed…

To assess the impact of the North Carolina Career Development Plan (CDP) on student achievement, results of the California Achievement Tests, administered annually in North Carolina public schools, were analyzed. The focus was on the performance of children in grades 3, 6, and 8 in the school years from 1985-86 through 1988-89 in 16 CDP units.…

A project was conducted in Pennsylvania to determine what changes might improve the effectiveness of the State's adult basic education (ABE) program. Northcutt's construct of functional competency adult performance level (APL) and Mezirow's program evaluation model provided the basis for the project's two components: APL assessment and program…

During the 1993 session, the Nevada State Legislature enacted into law Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 385.347, commonly known as the Nevada School Accountability Law. It requires all schools in Nevada to inform the public of the performance of public schools throughout the state. School accountability was accomplished through a system of reports…

The program aimed to develop and implement educational activities for migrant children which would increase their achievement level in the public school classrooms and to deal with matters of self, their interaction with others, and survival. Two types of learning programs were emphasized: Multi-Purpose Resource Centers which supplemented the…