Evaluated number of format and direction changes across tests and grade levels of major elementary standardized reading achievement tests. Number of format changes varies from one change every 1.2 minutes on Metropolitan Achievement Test Level E1 to one change every 21.3 minutes on P1 level of Stanford Achievement Test. (Author)

The Jefferson County Schools (Colorado) are in the process of examining a district-wide testing program and selecting a new, standardized basic skills test. This paper describes the progress made to date. (LMO)

Discusses the necessity for the use of test score data in measuring school effectiveness. Outlines the types of tests best suited to particular schools. (MD)

Forty-six achievement tests were compared for content validity, criterion-related validity, reliability, and norms. Results show that more popular tests provide the user with technical data in the critical areas examined, although the information provided may be incomplete. (Author/MT)

Explores the three broad thrusts of literature curricula, noting that no test can cover all three. Discusses how the content and objectives of the literature curriculum can be specified and how test questions can be developed for the evaluation of literature comprehension. (HTH)

Describes a study conducted at the University of Tennessee at Marin to find a test more suitable than the Nelson-Denny Reading Test (NDRT) to accurately measure reading improvement in developmental classes. Found no support for replacing the NDRT with the Descriptive Tests of Language Skills or the Comparative Guidance and Placement Program. (DMM)

Ten item discrimination indices, across a variety of item analysis situations, were compared, based on the validities of tests constructed by using each of the indices to select 40 items from a 100-item pool. Item score data were generated by a computer program and included a simulation of guessing. (Author/CTM)

The paper discusses some problems in using achievement tests with hearing impaired students and offers some general suggestions for school testing programs. (PHR)

Effectively integrating tests into the counseling process is often a difficult problem for counselors. Flow chart models that systematically describe and analyze the counselor's functioning can be an aid in resolving this difficulty. This article describes and explains the technique of flow charting. (Author)

This experiment tested college students whose first language is English with the TOEFL examination. The major conclusion was that TOEFL scores do not relate to academic aptitude or performance of domestic students and to evaluate English competency of native speakers with this test is inappropriate. (CHK)

Reviewed six recently developed adaptive behavior scales for technical adequacy and other issues to consider when selecting measure of adaptive behavior. Suggests ways to aid examiners in selecting appropriate measure of adaptive behavior for particular student, accurately interpreting results, recognizing strengths and limitations of measures,…

Examined validity of Microcomputer Evaluation Screening and Assessment (MESA) aptitude scores relative to General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB) using multitrait-multimethod correlational analyses. Findings from 54 rehabilitation clients and 29 displaced workers revealed no evidence to support the construct validity of the MESA. (Author/NB)