Discusses the value of standardized tests in providing useful measurement of career education programs and presents advantages of standardized over locally prepared tests in many instances. Includes test selection consideration and some resources for test selection. (MF)

Describes the steps that a school district should follow in the first stages of implementing a minimum competency testing program: preparatory activities, defining the project, identifying existing tests, evaluating tests, developing a local test, and sharing knowledge. (Author)

Provides information concerning a procedure for estimating the probability of placement error on a criterion referenced multiple choice test. (TJ)

Conducted survey of community-based counselors (N=743) to determine standardized test use for individual appraisal. Explored kinds of tests used, educational level of test user, and respondents' perceptions of importance of appraisal. Found bare majority used test instruments; Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory used most; and fewer than…

Describes and evaluates the Test of Early Written Language (TEWL), an instrument resulting in percentile or standard scores that reflect children's writing development at ages three to seven. Warns that it fails to tap important concepts at the lower age ranges, and violates several principles of children's authentic writing experiences. (MM)

Describes and evaluates the Primary and Intermediate versions of the Test of Language Development-2 (TOLD-2). Concludes that TOLD-2 tests should be used only as screening instruments, and suggests that poor performance on the TOLD-2 be followed with naturalistic language sampling and analysis. (MM)

Notes that interest in attachment theory among counselors and researchers has led to development of measures of attachment-related constructs. Presents overview of theoretical foundations of attachment theory as conceptualized by Ainsworth (1989) and Bowlby (1988). Reviews four self-report measures of adolescent and adult attachment. Discusses…

Investigated differences in robustness of two independent variables for predicting National Teacher Examinations (NTE) scores and grade point averages (GPAs) for college seniors and recent graduates (n=1,441). By every method of analysis, data clearly indicated superiority of College Basic Academic Subjects Examination over American College…

Outlines the purposes of statistical analysis and types of research questions that can be answered. Defines data types as a guide for choosing statistical tools. Describes a hypothetical research study on teaching computer software to illustrate the use of analytical tools. (SK)

Reviews potential Internet applications in counseling test selection, orientation, administration, scoring and interpretation. Explores inappropriate assessment use, relationship issues, ethics, credentialing, and training. (Contains 39 references and an appendix.) (Author/GCP)

Assessment use is a cornerstone of successful counseling. Information from assessments is used for making several important therapeutic decisions, requiring the counselor to have information about assessment devices and approaches. Tests are being published at a remarkable rate; it is a challenge for counselors to stay well informed. Products and…

This annotated bibliography (1933-1982) lists currently available instruments that might be used with Spanish-speaking individuals. The bibliographic information, obtained from the holdings of the Educational Testing Service Test Collection, is not limited to any specific type of test. Thus, measures of achievement, aptitude, and attitude, etc.,…

While the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages' (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines have many proponents, critics find testing according to the guidelines costly and time-consuming. Winthrop College (South Carolina) has developed an approach to testing foreign language majors that tests all skill areas, can be administered using no…

In a national survey of psychological testing, researchers have suggested that future surveys of test use should report separately for individual settings. The purpose of this investigation was to gauge the status of psychological test usage in a specific type of agency. Outpatient mental health facilities and community clinics in the United…

The paper looks at purposes of educational assessment of children with learning disabilities, assessment of the whole child, the plan for an assessment battery, the nuances of carrying out the assessment, and communication of the results to maximize appropriate follow up. Assessment purposes identified include screening, determining eligibility,…