The Rise and Fall of National Test Scores examines, in some depth, the nature of test score changes over an extended period of time and in a broad range of subject matters and levels of schooling. The book contains chapters contributed by experts on various aspects of educational tests and score interpretation and uses. The text discusses the interpretations of trends in college admissions test scores and questions about the post-admission performance of ethnic minority students. The book examines general school achievement trends of high school students and the trends observed in broad-based testing programs of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The complexities involved in obtaining dependable data with which to make informed judgments about reading achievement trends are examined. The text further tackles the positive and negative trends in academic achievement in Science with particular emphasis on the effects of curriculum revision; as well as the problems of mathematics testing. The book then describes test score trends and problems in Great Britain and Ireland, with attention given to the similarities and differences of those countries and the United States. Educators, researchers, political leaders, and informed, interested laymen will find the book invaluable.

This report explores the issues and concerns related to the development of a process to assess college student learning. Its primary focus is the attainment of National Education Goal 5.5 by the year 2000 which reads, "The proportion of college graduates who demonstrate an advanced ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and solve problems will increase substantially." The primary source of information for this report came from a set of 15 papers commissioned as background for a study design workshop held in November 1991, 45 reviews of the papers, and the proceedings of the study design workshop, "National Assessment of College Student Learning: Issues and Concerns." Chapter 1 addresses what it means to undertake a national assessment of college student learning and raises issues inherent in such a national assessment. Chapter 2 considers what specific skills should be assessed (critical thinking skills, assessment in the workplace, assessment in the colleges--basic skills and general intellectual skills, literacy and writing assessments, and necessary research). Chapter 3 raises six standards and other measurement issues: (1) relationship of standards to the task of defining a national assessment of college student learning; (2) historical context for standards; (3) relationship of standards of National Assessment of College Student Learning to the overall charge of Goal 5; (4) the testing of subject-specific content domains; (5) reasonableness of a single set of standards; (6) and the debate over portfolio assessment and its relationship to standards and values issues. (Contains over 450 footnotes.) (GLR)

A certain amount of national testing at key points in a child's school career is necessary in order to provide a standardised means of measuring educational attainment. But in recent years the Government has emphasised central control of the education system through testing and associated targets and performance tables, placing test results in a new and more complex context with wide-ranging consequences. National test results are used for a wide variety of purposes across many different levels-national, local, institutional and individual. Is the current national testing system a valid means by which to achieve these purposes. The Committee concludes that, in some cases, it is not. In particular, the use of national test results for the purpose of school accountability has resulted in some schools emphasising the maximisation of test results at the expense of a more rounded education for their pupils. A variety of classroom practices aimed at improving test results has distorted the education of some children, which may leave them unprepared for higher education and employment. 'Teaching to the test' and narrowing of the taught curriculum are widespread phenomena in schools, resulting in a disproportionate focus on the 'core' subjects of English, mathematics and science. The Government's proposals for the new single-level tests and the new emphasis on the personalised approach to learning may have some positive effects. But there is a need for structural modification of the current approach. The Committee concludes that the national testing system should be reformed to decouple these multiple purposes in such a way as to remove from schools the imperative to pursue test results at all costs. On the 14-19 diplomas, the Committee notes that teachers feel unprepared for the new qualifications and there is anxiety about the limited amount of training they are due to receive.

A hearing was held on the re-authorization of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB). Mary R. Blanton, Vice Chair of the NAGB, spoke about its mission and plans for design changes under the re-authorization. She also outlined the role of the NAGB in overseeing the voluntary national test and discussed state-based competency measures. Michael F. Ward, North Carolina Superintendent of Schools, represented the Council of Chief State School Officers as he spoke on the importance of the NAEP and the NAGB. As a representative of commercial test publishers, Larry Snowhite of Riverside addressed several key issues regarding the re-authorization of the NAEP. Martha Schwartz, representative of a grass-roots organization focusing on mathematics education, urged the inclusion of content-based learning standards with a reliable test to match the standards. Christopher Klicka, Executive Director of the Home School Legal Defense Association, expressed concerns that expansion of the roles of the NAEP and NAGB would lead to increased nationalization of education standards and testing. Ambrosio E. Rodriguez , of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, also testified about the importance of high standards. Nine appendixes contain the written statements of these witnesses and remarks from two congressmen. (SLD)

Providing a comprehensive introduction to the topic of accountability and datafication in the governance of education, the World Yearbook of Education 2021 considers global policy dynamics and policy enactment processes. Chapters pay particular attention to the role of international organizations and the private sector in the promotion of performance-based accountability (PBA) in different educational settings and at multiple policy scales. Organized into three sections, chapters cover: the global/local construction of accountability and datafication; global discourse and national translations of performance-based accountability policies; and enactments and effects of accountability and datafication, including controversies and critical issues. With carefully chosen international contributions from around the globe, the World Yearbook of Education 2021 is ideal reading for anyone interested in the future of accountability and datafication in the governance of education.