Used data from California and a simplified model of the University of California admissions process to explore how various approaches to admissions affect the diversity of the admitted student population. The only approach that substantially increased minority student representation was accepting most students on the basis of within-school rather…

Summarizes recent developments in the use of technology in schools and state-level testing programs. Presents results of two studies, one with 114 students and one with about 200 students, that indicate that written tests administered on paper underestimate the achievement of students accustomed to working with computers. (SLD)

Examined the effect of taking open-ended tests on computers and on paper for students with different levels of computer skill using items from the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System and the National Assessment of Educational Progress for 287 middle school students. Results suggest a large effect of mode of administration on student…

The effect that mode of administration, computer versus paper and pencil, had on the performance of 120 middle school students on multiple choice and written test questions was studied. Results show that, for students accustomed to writing on computers, responses written on the computer were more successful. Implications for testing are discussed.…