Parents can help their children prepare for reading tests in a number of ways, not only just before the test, but also with everyday activities. There are generally two types of reading tests given to students: tests given by teachers throughout the year to see what information students have retained, and more formal, often standardized, tests…

This book describes how educators at Harrison Elementary School in Twin Falls, Idaho, used the Standardized Timed Curriculum (STC) to raise students' standardized test scores. The monograph, which is divided into eight chapters, opens with an overview of testing in schools, the growth of the test-preparation business, and the need for school…

This report focuses on standards for the teaching and learning of biology in the state of Mississippi. It contains sections on interpreting the Mississippi subject area score reports, an overview of the Mississippi Biology I curriculum, suggested test strategies, additional teaching strategies with sample assessment items, and skills needed for…

This report focuses on standards for the teaching and learning of algebra in the state of Mississippi. It contains sections on interpreting the Mississippi subject area score reports, an overview of the Mississippi Algebra I curriculum, suggested test strategies, and additional teaching and learning strategies with sample assessment items. (DDR)

Recent Gallup Polls uncovered the fact that the percentage of respondents who believe there is too much emphasis on testing is increasing, while the percentage who believe that the amount of emphasis is appropriate is declining. The public sees work in class and homework as significantly more important than tests in measuring student achievement…

The Elementary School Proficiency Assessment (ESPA) is New Jersey's test for fourth graders. It is designed to give the school information about how well students are achieving in the areas required by New Jersey's Core Curriculum Content Standards. This guide offers parents and students information about the ESPA. Parent information, which is…

This document is intended to help teachers prepare students for the "exit exam of essential skills" required by the Student Accountability Standards enacted by the North Carolina State Board of Education. The strategies in this guide are based on two essential premises: following the North Carolina "Standard Course of Study"…

Social selection is analyzed within the context of the entire system of tests and certifications established and maintained by past society and serving certain functions for present society' three scenarios of the early 1980's are presented. (JM)

A comparison of three treatments (training students to take tests, training teachers to administer tests, and reinforcing reading test score improvement) showed that group achievement scores more accurately indicate what students know if motivated to do their best in tests and take tests from teachers trained to administer standardized tests.…

Ninety-four college males completed a management trainees' selection test that had been developed by criterion-keying. They were instructed once to answer honestly, and once to answer as a highly motivated job applicant would. "Faking" instructions resulted in significantly higher scores. (Author/GDC)

Higher mean IQ scores were obtained on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) compared to the revised version (WISC-R). The WISC-R had a facilitative effect on the WISC that did not appear when the WISC was administered first. Differences in instructions may have enhanced the practice effect. (Author/JAC)

A mathematics achievement test with instructions to avoid guessing wildly was given to 168 elementary school pupils who were later asked to complete all the questions using a differently colored pencil. Results showed examinees, particularly the more able students, tend to omit too many items. (CTM)

A teacher explains two techniques he has used in high school English classes to increase students' confidence in their own abilities, by helping them to rely less on guessing when it comes to spelling and test-taking and more on realistic assessments of their own performance. (SJL)

The relationship among test anxiety, study skills, and academic performance was studied. It was found that, in addition to academic aptitude, a measure of effective test-taking skills and a measure of test anxiety contributed significantly to prediction of grade point average. (Author)

This study compared the effectiveness of systematic desensitization and the directed experience hypnotic technique in reducing self-reported test anxiety and increasing the academic performance of test-anxious undergraduates (N=36). The results are discussed as evidence for systematic desensitization as the more effective treatment in reducing…