This paper explores the reasons for the rapid adoption of intelligence tests by the public schools, and the historical relationship between testing and ability grouping or tracking. Case studies are presented of three California communities--Oakland, San Jose, and Palo Alto--between 1910 and 1925. These communities have been selected because they…

It is asserted in this paper that some standardized tests do not do a good job of what they claim to do, and for some testing purposes nonstandardized tests are more appropriate or efficient. Under present circumstances, group I.Q. tests should be abolished. They provide no useful information that cannot be gained from achievement tests. And what…

This paper, based on a book on the assessment of minority students, is a critical review of the research done heretofore on intelligence testing. It deals with such issues as: the social criticism of testing through numerous lawsuits, court rulings, and in the positions taken by the Association of Black Psychologists and the American Personnel and…

This booklet reports on the 1994 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in geography for 4th, 8th, and 12th grade students, a test given for the first time to establish baseline data for measuring student progress in geography well into the future. The booklet contains the following sections: (1) Why We Assess Geography; (2) The 1994…

This booklet reports on the 1994 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in U.S. History for 4th, 8th, and 12th grade students. The booklet contains the following sections: (1) Why We Assess History; (2) Preparing the 1994 NAEP U.S. History Assessment; (3) What is NAEP? (4) Creating a Framework for the U.S. History Assessment, with What…

The Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) is a statewide testing program in reading and mathematics, with other subject areas tested on a sampling basis. The MEAP tests are administered every fall to all fourth, seventh and tenth graders. This handbook was developed to assist educators in analyzing, using, and reporting MEAP test results.…

The development of two new rating scales, a classroom observation schedule and a comparable student self-report questionnaire, is described. Both instruments are designed to measure group self-concept, defined as a social structure exhibiting interactions which indicate values, attitudes, and beliefs that determine the self-perception of a group,…

This guide for kindergarten teachers covers the following areas: (1) Understanding the Job--theory or philosophy of kindergarten education, about the child, the kindergarten teacher, social living in the kindergarten, aides and paraprofessionals; (2) Setting the Stage--facilities in the kindergarten, suggested equipment for kindergarten, the…

"The Politics and Process of Evaluation and Decision Making in the Schools: The Shawnee Mission, Kansas, Experience" and "Use of National Assessment Model for Classroom Evaluation" were two papers presented at the Regional Conference of the National Council for the Social Studies. The first paper concerned the development of an…

This study investigated the "customization" of a standardized achievement test to measure the effect on group and individual scores. "Customization" refers to the modification of an existing test to more closely match test specifications of the entity using the test, usually a state or large school district. Results of an…

AN INSTRUMENT FOR MEASURING VISUAL DISCRIMINATION ABILITY WITHOUT CONFOUNDING VARIABLES OF MOTOR SKILLS HAS BEEN CONSTRUCTED. TO AVOID THE EYE-HAND COORDINATION USUALLY REQUIRED ON THESE TESTS, A SELECTION, RATHER THAN A DRAWING, RESPONSE WAS DEVELOPED. THIS TEST, THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES DISCRIMINATION INVENTORY (VDI), CONSISTS…

Positive approaches to increase student achievement in language classes focus on the potential influence of norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests. The author cites instances to prove that teacher efficiency increases when teachers are held responsible for student achievement. Discussion of success factors relates testing practices…

Utilizing eight apprentices in the mentals trades, this study empirically evaluated a number of techniques designed to produce performance tests that are economically feasible, reliable, content-valid, and less disadvantageous to minority group members than paper-and-pencil measures. The final test was economically feasible, reliable with respect…

American education has always considered the non-standard or sub-standard form of speech used by children to be an imperfect copy of standard English. The defects of this approach have now become a matter of urgent concern in the face of the tremendous educational problems of the urban ghettos. This paper reverses the usual focus and looks…

This report presents the findings and recommendations of a consulting team dedicated to helping the Florida Division of Community Colleges achieve its goal of enrolling and employing Blacks and other minorities in approximate proportion to the 18- to 64-year-old population of the State by 1980. This report includes: (1) a detailed description of a…