This Digest introduces the advantages and disadvantages of three commonly used methods of reporting test score changes: (1) change in percentile rank; (2) scale or raw score change; and (3) percent change. The change in percentile rank method focuses on the increase or decrease of the mean percentile ranking for a group of students. This method…

An earlier Digest described the shortcomings of three methods commonly used to summarize changes in test scores. This Digest describes two less commonly used approaches for examining changes in test scores, those of Standardized Growth Estimates and Effect Sizes. Aspects of these two approaches are combined and applied to the Iowa Test of Basic…

The Office of Research and Evaluation of the Dearborn Public Schools (Michigan) presents a longitudinal study to analyze grade nine student academic growth over a 2-year period utilizing the results of the Tests of Achievement and Proficiency (TAP). The TAP is a nationally normed test designed to assess student progress toward widely accepted…

The sustained effects studies of Title I programs in 130 school systems in Kentucky were analyzed. The purpose of the review was to examine the types of questions asked, the results of the studies, and the ways in which results were interpreted and utilized. There were 109 summer effects studies. These showed that overall, the gains of Title I…

TEN TABLES, EACH WITH SEVERAL SUBDIVISIONS, WERE USED TO PRESENT THE VALUES OF "T" REPRESENTING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEANS FOR JUNIOR AND SENIOR KINDERGARTEN GROUPS (1) IN MATCH 1, (2) IN MATCH 2, (3) IN MATCH 1, ISOLATED FOR LANGUAGE, (4) IN MATCH 2, ISOLATED FOR LANGUAGE, (5) IN MATCH 1, ISOLATED FOR FATHERS' EDUCATIONS, (6) IN…

In 1977 the Dallas Independent School District devised a 5-year state-mandated improvement plan for increasing student test scores in priority goal areas. This paper describes the planning process as it evolved, the problems faced by large districts, and the 5-year student achievement results. The original plan contained eight priority goal areas,…

During the 1982-83 school year, the California Achievement Test (CAT) was administered to students attending Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools (MCPS) in grades 3,5,8 and 11. This report describes and displays the county-wide and school test results which are further broken down by racial/ethnic group and sex. An analysis of the data…

The Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) utilize the state mandated testing of students in grades 3, 5 and 8 with the Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS) as an accountability index. The district has set objectives to be met by teachers and students. The Department of Instructional Research, Testing, and Evaluation (IRTE) District Program…

A variety of methods are used by the Austin (Texas) Independent School District to report the results of student achievement testing. These techniques were developed to alleviate some of the problems that occurred previously: (1) a school's average score represents very few of its students because large numbers of students score very high or very…

This report summarizes test results from all phases of the Dallas Independent School District testing program at a very global level. District achievement in 1981-82 can be viewed as a general improvement over that observed in 1980-81 which in turn marked a major improvement over preceding years. Appreciable gains were noted particularly among the…

After outlining the goals, budget, and personnel of the research and evaluation branch of the Dallas Independent School District, the results of 150 program evaluations are summarized and interpreted. Most evaluations are based on achievement gains as measured by standardized achievement tests. Results are often analyzed by district, subdistrict,…

Nearly 15,000 students were administered the Alaska Statewide Assessment Test--virtually all fourth and eighth grade students. Preliminary results indicated that eighth graders made substantial improvements in both reading and mathematics performance. Fourth grade scores were basically unchanged since 1983. There was also little change between…

Describes development of a comprehensive computer literacy assessment battery for K-12 curriculum based on objectives of a curriculum implemented in the Worldwide Department of Defense Dependents Schools system. Test development and field test data are discussed and a correlational analysis which assists in interpretation of test results is…

In 1985, reading and mathematics achievement tests were administered to nearly 15,000 fourth and eighth graders in Alaska. Educators comprising the Interpretive Panel developed a minimum and a desired level of performance. Scores below the minimum indicated a weakness; scores above it, a strength, and scores between, satisfactory achievement. The…

American school officials almost invariably compare local and national achievement through one of the following norm-referenced tests: (1) the California Achievement Test; (2) the Stanford Achievement Test; (3) the Metropolitan Achievement Test; (4) the Science Research Associates Test; (5) the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills; and (6) the Iowa…