The main import of the present paper is to discuss what Guttman facet design and analysis is and then to show how this technique can be used in attitude scale construction. Since Guttman is best known for his contribution to scaling theory known as scalogram analysis, a brief historical background is given to indicate how Guttman moved from a…

As part of the development of a test battery to determine proficiency in black standard and nonstandard speech, a test was devised consisting of a repetition task. Fifteen sentences in black standard and 15 in black nonstandard English were to be repeated. A black experimenter administered the test individually to 35 black kindergartners. The…

These trial examinations in handicrafts for certification in secondary education in England are similar to previously published trial examinations in religious knowledge, experimental exams, and the place of the personal topic in history. Half of the booklet deals with (1) the trial examination's history and description, (2) details of the…

This document is an English-language abstract (approximately 1,500 words) of a study of the prognostic value of handicraft training in Finnish school for subsequent success in school and on the job. The study raised several related questions--techniques of work appraisal, citizenship, school streaming, and trial periods at vocational schools. The…

Some aspects of the results from IEA studies of reading are discussed. The instruments used in the studies were a reading comprehension test of the conventional type and a short reading speed test. The studies were conducted with 10- and 14-year-olds and individuals in the last year of secondary school. A supplementary measure, Same-Opposite…

The Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) is a mandated statewide assessment program that targets four core content areas. English language arts, including reading and writing, and mathematics are given to students in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10; science and social studies are given to students in grades 4, 6, 8, and 11. The DSTP reading and…

This paper is the fourth in a series prepared for the National Academy of Education on the evaluation of the National Assessment of Educational Progress Trial State Assessment (TSA) and the impact of reporting TSA results. This paper provides a perspective on the last of the TSAs, an assessment of fourth-grade reading that was carried out in 44…

Beginning in 1999, all of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) had to be aligned with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards. This handbook describes the PSSA reading assessment. It contains samples and instructions for developing assessment items for grades 5, 8, and 11. Although designed for teachers, the Handbook is meant to be a…

This guide contains information to help teachers understand and use reports from the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP). The DSTP is designed to be a measure of progress toward Delaware's content standards that helps ensure that students can apply their academic skills to realistic, everyday problems. The DSTP aims to promote better…

This report presents the results of the statewide spring 2000 administration of the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP). Third-grade students were assessed in Reading; fourth- and seventh-grade students were assessed in Reading and Writing; and eighth-grade students were assessed in Mathematics and Science. The assessments were developed by…

Investigates how the language in which formal education is conducted affects learners' reading ability in the context of Malawi and Zambia. Administration of English- and local-language reading tests reveals that no significant difference exists in English-language reading ability between learners in each country, but large differences in favor of…

Presents a study that examines how junior high students' performance on test item training is affected by previous training in writing test items. Reveals that because of the training, students better understood test item stems and their generation. Includes references. (CMK)

Whether differences in mean scores among gender and racial/ethnic groups on science performance assessments are comparable to those for traditional tests was studied with 2,000 students in grades five, six, and nine. Overall, results suggest that the type of test has little effect on these differences in scores. (SLD)

The increased use of test scores as a measure of school quality is discussed. Legitimate and illegitimate practices of test preparation are considered. Some commercial test preparation programs are reviewed, with some conclusions about their effectiveness and desirability. (SLD)

Provides information on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in music. Discusses the "red flags," such as test sampling, from the "Arts Report Card" that signal doubt as to the usefulness of its data. Considers the lessons learned from the "Arts Report Card." (CMK)