History

Abstract

Consider, for example, the typical user of this book. The reader was likely “tested” on a 10-point rating scale of general health status at birth, namely, the Apgar test. Other “tests” soon followed such as measures of height, weight, and, perhaps, physician or other observations of temperament. Medical-related testing then gave way to educational testing in the preschool years. Children are then typically “screened” for kindergarten readiness using scales that assess language development, behavior problems, basic concept knowledge, and other constructs. The educational testing process gathers momentum in elementary school when a child is subjected to teacher-made tests, performance assessments, group-administered, survey-level achievement batteries (often administered in the Spring of alternate academic years), creativity evaluations for gifted program entry, and teacher ratings of classroom behavior among many other evaluations.