Uses and Abuses of Achievement Test Scores

Are variations in test-preparation practices from school to school undermining the meaningfulness of achievement test results? Is there pressure to raise achievement test scores by the use of educationally unsound practices? What uses of achievement test scores are most common? Do teachers and administrators have reasonably accurate views of test score uses?     

标准分在评定考试成绩中的应用

考试成绩评定一般使用原始分,实际操作中,只使用原始分有诸多问题。本文结合大学英语教学改革,对考试的成绩评定提出改进意见,引进标准分评定方法,并结合实践,设计了一套实用的将标准分按一定的优秀率和不及格率换算成百分制分数的方法。     

实用试卷成绩统计分析

在教学管理过程中，对试卷成绩统计分析庞大的工作量在一定程度上制约了此项工作开展的广度和深度，基于此，借助于MS Excel数据分析工具，介绍了一种简单易行的试卷成绩统计分析方法。     

Conditional Standard Errors of Measurement for Scale Scores

Standard errors of measurement of scale scores by score level (conditional standard errors of measurement) can be valuable to users of test results. In addition, the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (AERA, APA, & NCME, 1985) recommends that conditional standard errors be reported by test developers. Although a variety of procedures are available for estimating conditional standard errors of measurement for raw scores, few procedures exist for estimating conditional standard errors of measurement for scale scores from a single test administration. In this article, a procedure is described for estimating the reliability and conditional standard errors of measurement of scale scores. This method is illustrated using a strong true score model. Practical applications of this methodology are given. These applications include a procedure for constructing score scales that equalize standard errors of measurement along the score scale. Also included are examples of the effects of various nonlinear raw-to-scale score transformations on scale score reliability and conditional standard errors of measurement. These illustrations examine the effects on scale score reliability and conditional standard errors of measurement of (a) the different types of raw-to-scale score transformations (e.g., normalizing scores), (b) the number of scale score points used, and (c) the transformation used to equate alternate forms of a test. All the illustrations use data from the ACT Assessment testing program.     

Assessing Student Achievement in Large-Scale Educational Programs Using Hierarchical Propensity Scores

Many researchers assessing the efficacy of educational programs face challenges due to issues with non-randomization and the likelihood of dependence between nested subjects. The purpose of the study was to demonstrate a rigorous research methodology using a hierarchical propensity score matching method that can be utilized in contexts where randomization is not feasible and dependence between subjects is a concern. Although propensity score matching is not new in helping to create quasi-experimental models, many studies limit propensity score matching to student-level variables. To address this limitation in educational research, this study extends propensity score matching to the next level so that hierarchical modeling techniques can be used to help minimize error due to the likelihood of dependence between nested students. A large-scale educational program that targets first-semester freshmen was used to illustrate the utility and value of the methodology. This type of program is typical in higher education where student self-selection creates difficulty in assessing its true effects on student achievement; however, by using a rigorous methodology, administrators can have higher confidence when making programmatic and budgetary decisions.     

The Influence of Certain Social Factors upon Scores in the Stanford Achievement Tests

Abstract

Cognitive changes in socially disadvantaged children in Grades 5 to 7 who were participating in a one-to-one tutoring program in Israel were assessed. Tutors were university students who received a partial tuition rebate if they met their child twice a week in 2-hour sessions over a 7-month period. The progress of a sample of tutored children was compared to that of a sample of nontutored children in mathematics, reading (Hebrew), and English. The tutored children were not found to be at an advantage on the tests although other data from tutors, parents, children, and teachers indicated that the project should be having an impact on academic achievement.     

殷海光个体本位的自由观

以个体本位为文化基因的自由概念来自西方,却与殷海光恃才傲物、特立独行的个性暗合,因而成就了他最近乎西方个体本位的自由观.志道之士的历史使命又决定了殷海光个体本位自由观分裂与两难的本土命运.自由思想者与志道之士两难取舍的背后,是东西方两种不同文化生存之道的冲突与较量.殷海光以生命为代价向世人昭示的,与其说是西方自由理念,不如说是对西方文化的质疑,以及对中国文化的进一步反思.     

The Projected Impact of the Correction for Guessing on Individual Scores

This article presents estimates of the effects of the use of formula scoring on an individual examinee's score. The results of this analysis suggest that under plausible assumptions, using test characteristics derived from several studies, some examinees would increase their scores by one half standard deviation or more if they were to answer items omitted under formula directions     

Causal Attributions and Reading Achievement: Individual Differences in Low-Income Families

In this study the development of causal attributions about reading within low-income families was examined. Specifically, relations between children's reading achievement and their causal attributions were investigated as well as relations between the children's attributions about themselves and their parents’ attributions about them. A total 513 students from Grades 3, 6, and 9, and one parent of each student, all from low-income families, participated. Students and parents independently rated the importance of seven causal variables (effort, intellectual ability, liking for reading, the teacher, help at home, difficulty of reading material, and luck) for the students’ good and poor reading outcomes. The major findings were that (a) at each grade, students’ attributions were reliably related to their reading achievement on the Gates–MacGinitie reading comprehension test, with attributions to ability, liking for reading, and help at home especially critical; (b) at each grade, parent attributions were reliably associated with student attributions; and (c) as students’ grade in school increased, they focused more on themselves and less on others as causal determinants of their reading performance. The implications of these findings for research and education are discussed.     

分数功能的异化与回归

在现实的学校教育中,分数经常被误用和滥用,并对学生的发展造成伤害。然而,学校教育又不可能从根本上消灭分数。其实,分数本身无所谓好与坏,关键在于如何合理、有效地使用分数。合理使用分数的基本标准在于:能帮助教师诊断和改进教学;能激励和强化学生的学习;切实体现和反映学校教育的总体目标;评价的手段、方法应与评价的内容、对象相适应。依此标准,在对学生的学习进行评分时,教师应突出和强化对学生学习过程的评分;充分考虑学生的努力与进步程度;采用灵活、弹性的评分;注重自我评分;面向学生的全面发展评分;采用多元化的评分方法与手段等。     

中学生学业成就目标差异分析及教育建议

测量618名中学生学业成就目标,采用多元方差分析的方法进行性别、年级、城乡及学业成就等方面的差异分析。结果表明,中学生成就目标模式总体积极,具体为高掌握-高成绩趋近-低成绩回避;女生在掌握趋近、成绩趋近、掌握回避等目标上得分高于男生;城乡与年级存在交互作用,乡镇初中生成绩回避倾向高;学习者总成绩与成就目标不存在差异,语、数、外三科成绩与成就目标关系的模式存在差异。在差异分析的基础上提出相关建议,帮助学生形成积极成就目标模式。     

The Effect of Item Response Changes on Scores on an Elementary Reading Achievement Test

Abstract

The effect of changing item responses on scores of elementary school children on a standardized achievement test was studied. Previous research, primarily involving non-standardized instruments and adult samples, indicates that changed responses are more likely to be correct than not. Subjects were 165 third grade students using the Metropolitan Reading Tests. Students received no special instructions regarding changing responses. Changes were identified visually and were independently verified. While frequency of response changes was low, such changes generally improved scores. Sex differences in number and success of changes were non-significant. The relationship between frequency of response change and test score was minimal. Responses to difficult items were changed more frequently with less success than changes on easy items. High scorers made more successful changes than did low scorers. Within the limits of the methodology, results clearly indicated that response changes of elementary students on multiple-choice items tend to improve test scores.     

An Inquiry Into the Relationship of Achievement Scores And Certain Variables in an Adult High School

Abstract

The Teaching Situation Reaction Test (T.S.R.T.) was studied to discover if there was a relationship between the instrument, factors in the T.S.R.T., the option rankings of the T.S.R.T., and six factors proposed as being built into the instrument. The factors proposed as being built into the T.S.R.T. were objectivity, sociability, control, confidence, reflectiveness, and empathy. The group studied consisted of 238 pre-service education students. The data were analyzed by a 100 x 100 factor analysis program with rotation and product moment correlation. The results indicate that some aspects of the T.S.R.T. consistently appear to be related to negative control and positively related to empathy.     

从历史的角度看教育中的个人本位与社会本位的演变

社会本位和个人本位是教育发展史中的一对不可回避的矛盾着的价值选择。任何国家、任何时 期的教育都要在实践中有选择地实施某种价值观。这种选择都是有其具体的历史条件的。因此，我们不能简 单地肯定一种而否定另一种。现代高等教育的实践表明，这两种价值观正在走向融合。我们的策略选择是在 坚持教育的“社会本位”的同时，协调好二者的关系。