Uses case study data from three young readers to examine the assumption that commercial informal reading inventories are as reliable as teacher made tests. Questions that assumption. (FL)

Four considerations that enhance the instructional importance of tests are content match, use of feedback, a flagging function, and the increasing tendency to attach sanctions and rewards to standardized test results. These sanctions are apt to force greater attention to the other three characteristics, strengthening the links between instruction…

Prompted by a lack of materials to test students' discrimination and production of minimal pairs and similar words, a teacher developed a technique that uses actual production of words in sentences. Students' reactions have been very positive, and the test is brief and simple to administer. (MSE)

It is important that teachers test not only knowledge, but also comprehension, application, synthesis, and evaluation. Several suggestions for test items in physical education are presented. (CJ)

A model for the recalibration of teacher assessment that assesses and evaluates in one operation is formulated. The instructional effectiveness coefficient is discussed as an edumetric device, and a new research-evaluation model that is quantitatively intuitive and empirical is formulated. The model is nonstochastic in its logic. (Author/SLD)

Of 60 Iranian female sophomores learning English, an experimental group (n=30) was assessed with teacher-made tests and portfolios, 30 controls with tests only. Portfolio assessment contributed to achievement and student responsibility for learning. Portfolio scores correlated significantly with test scores; high interrater reliability was…

Sixty-four general secondary education teachers provided data on 32 test adaptations for students with disabilities. Data included awareness, use, integrity, effectiveness, and ease of use. Results suggest that teachers are likely to use modifications that they perceive to maintain academic integrity, be effective, and require little…

In fall 1997, a midwestern district initiated changes to enable all stakeholders (especially teachers) to be knowledgeable users of standardized and teacher-made test results. Two major activities were implemented: data notebooks for each school and a data-mentor program to develop school personnel's data-analysis skills. (MLH)

In Spring 2000, Nebraska passed legislation supporting a school-based and teacher-led initiative. The plan provides districts flexibility in the testing tools they use, but still requires districts to develop standards, report annually on student progress, and participate in an annual statewide writing assessment. (Contains 13 references.) (MLH)

The 104 instruments in this bibliography contain collections of test items or learning objectives with accompanying sample items for use in the construction of tests. In some cases, actual test construction is performed by the publisher. Subjects covered include: reading, mathematics, sciences, languages, social sciences, and the arts. Some item…

This paper focuses on Smith's (1982) concept of test-wiseness strategies, describing several approaches that may maximize guessing on multiple-choice exams. Several previous studies indicated that the average level of performance increased when guessing was encouraged and decreased with instructions advising against guessing. Several studies were…

The Fairfax County Public schools (VA) presents Familygram, a newsletter directed to parents to help them better discuss and use test results for the improvement of their child's education and the quality of the education program in Fairfax County. An attempt is made to answer several important questions: What tests are given? Which of them are…

Much of the effectiveness of college instruction depends on the quality of the methods that are used to evaluate student progress. After developing a test or examination that is a valid and reliable measure of student performance, the college instructor must evaluate the results of the examination and report the level and quality of student…

The literature on the verbal behavior of teachers and their methods of testing students was reviewed. Studies included those on structuring (focusing attention on the topic), soliciting (including questions, commands, imperatives, and requests), responding (answering questions), and reacting (clarifying, synthesizing, expanding, or making positive…

Average performance on a test of arithmetic computation for both seventh and eighth grade students depended upon whether a detached answer column, rather than the test paper itself, was employed for recording item responses. Seventh graders were affected by whether workspace was or was not provided on the test form. (Author/BJG)