This study examined technical features of slopes produced from curriculum-based measures (CBM) of beginning writing. Eighty-five first-graders completed weekly sentence copy, picture-word, and story prompts for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, testing revealed alternate-form reliability and criterion validity of CBM scores generally similar to those…

Curriculum-based measurement (CBM) combines the advantages of informal assessment and commercial standardized tests. Reliability and validity research on CBM is cited along with its benefits in special education (improved communication, increased sensitivity, improved database, and peer referencing). (CL)

The article describes a direct observation system designed to help teachers identify children with behavior problems. The system involves recording the frequency of four key target behaviors (noise, out-of-place, physical contact/destruction, and off task) emitted by the referred student and by a normative peer sample. (DLS)

Among the scoring procedures investigated, Total Words Written, Words Spelled Correctly, Correct Letter Sequences, and Mature Words most strongly and consistently related to the criterion measures. (DB)

Three concurrent validity studies involving 88 regular and 56 learning disabled elementary students were conducted to determine the relationship between performances on formative measures of reading and standardized achievement measures of reading. The usefulness of the formative measures for continuous evaluation of student growth in reading is…

Two approaches to measurement for instructional decision making (specific subskill mastery measurement and general outcome measurement) are described and illustrated with case studies. The paper concludes that measuring general outcome indicators can bridge traditional and contemporary assessment paradigms to form an innovative approach to…

This study assessed the effects of curriculum on technical features (criterion validity and developmental growth rates) within curriculum-based measurement in reading with 91 elementary level handicapped and nonhandicapped students. Correlations between oral reading samples and reading comprehension as well as developmental growth rates were…

The history of the terms "punishment" and "aversive" is traced, and the influence of inconsistent usage and negative association associated with these terms is analyzed. A conceptual framework is presented to guide the choice of an alternative terminology for behavior reduction. (Author/JDD)

This article responds to a criticism (EC 231 964) of a paper that discusses graphs for measuring progress on individual education plans (EC 210 837). It notes that the type of chart used is not a major issue; the important point is that teachers repeatedly gather data on educationally relevant tasks and evaluate intervention effectiveness. (JDD)

This response to a critique (EC 610 427) of the authors' article on curriculum-based assessment notes the use of an operational definition of "curriculum" in their original article and restates their concern that too many teachers believe that assessment is wedded to the specific materials of instruction. (DB)

This literature review discusses the match between tests and curricula, measurement validity and instructional utility when sampling student performance in general and advantages/disadvantages of sampling performance in the curriculum. It concludes that sampling from the curriculum is not essential and outlines three critical features ensuring the…

A system of individualized education program developement is described in which assessment data are used to develop long-range goals which then help to formulate short-term objectives. Examples of goals and objectives in reading, spelling, and written expression are offered, and their use in progress monitoring and instructional plan evaluation is…

Four brief articles look at aspects of curriculum based measurement (CBM) for academically handicapped students including procedures of CBM with examples, different approaches to graphing student performance, and solutions to the problem of making time to measure student progress frequently. (DB)

Procedures for developing curriculum-based measurement (CBM) systems are presented as an approach to special education problem solving. CBM procedures are discussed within the context of a decision-making matrix, focusing on "what" and "how" to measure and how to use data. An example applies the method to reading-aloud performance. (KM)

The article presents the major elements of the data-based program modification approach designed to comply with the individualized education program mandate of P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act). Procedures for implementing each of the model's components are outlined. (SBH)