Question 1

In general, public school teachers are not very well trained in test construction and test score interpretation.

Accepted Answer

Many public school teachers receive limited formal training in test construction and score interpretation, focusing more on pedagogy and subject matter in their education.

Question 2

Some form of teacher testing is practiced in almost all the states in the United States.

Accepted Answer

Almost all states in the United States require some form of testing for teachers, often as part of the certification process, to ensure they meet certain standards of knowledge and competency in their subject area and teaching skills.

Question 3

The results of nationwide polls indicate that a majority of the general public is opposed to using competency tests for purposes of teacher certification and licensing.

Accepted Answer

Nationwide polls often show that a majority of the general public actually supports the use of competency tests for teacher certification and licensing, seeing them as a way to ensure educational quality and teacher preparedness.

Question 4

Most states require high school students to pass a functional literacy (minimum competency) test before receiving a certificate of completion.

Accepted Answer

Most states in the U.S. do not require high school students to pass a functional literacy or minimum competency test specifically to receive a certificate of completion. Graduation requirements typically include completion of certain coursework and credits, rather than passing a specific literacy test.

Question 5

The difference between pre-course and post-course test scores is a measure of the value added by an academic course.

Accepted Answer

The difference between pre-course and post-course test scores is used to measure the knowledge or skills gained by students, thus indicating the value added by the academic course.

Question 6

Almost all states have instituted a formal teacher evaluation system of some kind.

Accepted Answer

Most states in the U.S. have implemented formal teacher evaluation systems to assess the performance and effectiveness of teachers, often as part of educational reforms and accountability measures.

Question 7

The goal of program evaluation is to judge the utility or value of educational, psychological, or social intervention programs.

Accepted Answer

Program evaluation aims to assess the effectiveness, impact, and value of programs in various fields such as education, psychology, and social services, to inform decisions about program improvement, continuation, or termination.

Question 8

The primary purpose of program evaluation is to plan strategies for implementing effective programs.

Accepted Answer

The primary purpose of program evaluation is to assess the effectiveness and impact of programs, and to inform decisions about program improvement, continuation, or termination.

Question 9

Realizing that ability is the most important job qualification, organized labor has usually been supportive of the use of job selection tests of ability.

Accepted Answer

Organized labor has often been skeptical or critical of job selection tests, fearing they could be biased, not accurately reflect job performance, or be used to discriminate against certain groups of workers.

Question 10

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 implies the right to informed consent.

Accepted Answer

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) gives parents and eligible students the right to access and request amendments to their education records, and schools must have written permission to release any information from a student's education record, implying informed consent.

Question 11

The concept of ?privileged communication? exempts psychologists from a legal obligation to release information about clients to responsible persons.

Accepted Answer

Privileged communication means that psychologists cannot disclose client information without consent, but there are exceptions, such as legal obligations to report harm or abuse.

Question 12

Almost all letters of recommendation are laudatory.

Accepted Answer

Letters of recommendation are typically written to support and praise the individual being recommended, highlighting their achievements and positive qualities.

Question 13

Personal interviews are no longer considered to be of any real value in college admissions.

Accepted Answer

Personal interviews can provide valuable insights into an applicant's personality, goals, and fit for the college, which cannot be fully captured through written applications alone.

Question 14

Total reliance on objective tests for assessing achievement may lead to poor writing abilities, inferior teaching, and improper study habits.

Accepted Answer

Objective tests often focus on memorization and recall of facts, neglecting the development of critical thinking, writing skills, and deep understanding of material, which can result in the mentioned negative outcomes.

Question 15

The great majority of colleges and universities no longer use the SAT in undergraduate admissions decisions.

Accepted Answer

While some colleges and universities have adopted test-optional or test-blind policies, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant number still consider SAT scores as part of their admissions process. The trend towards test-optional admissions is growing, but it does not yet represent the majority of institutions.

Question 16

Educational Testing Service accepted the truth of Hoffman?s criticisms of multiple-choice test items and therefore decided to stop constructing and administering these kinds of tests after a certain date.

Accepted Answer

Educational Testing Service (ETS) has not stopped constructing and administering multiple-choice tests. They continue to use multiple-choice formats in many of their assessments, including the SAT, GRE, and TOEFL, among others.

Question 17

Multiple-choice tests were particular targets of criticism during the 1960s.

Accepted Answer

During the 1960s, multiple-choice tests faced significant criticism for their perceived limitations in assessing a student's understanding and critical thinking skills, as well as for promoting rote memorization over deeper learning.

Question 18

Performance-based testing involves open-ended questions and hands-on problem solving.

Accepted Answer

Performance-based testing assesses a candidate's ability to perform tasks or solve problems in real-world scenarios, often involving open-ended questions and hands-on activities.

Question 19

Although well-intentioned, it is generally agreed that the criticisms of testing made by Ralph Nader and his colleagues lack substance and validity.

Accepted Answer

Ralph Nader is widely recognized for his advocacy in consumer protection, environmentalism, and government reform. His criticisms of various industries, including automotive safety through his book "Unsafe at Any Speed," have been substantial and have led to significant regulatory changes and reforms. His work is generally respected for its thorough research and impact, rather than lacking substance and validity.

Question 20

In most states, students and their parents are legally entitled to information regarding students? performance on psychological and educational tests.

Accepted Answer

In most states, laws such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) give parents and students access to educational records, which include information on students' performance on psychological and educational tests.

Quiz 10: Applications and Issues in Ability Testing