One of the most revolutionary advances in psychometric research during the last decades has been the systematic development of statistical models that allow for cognitive psychometric research (CPR) to be conducted. Many of the models currently available for such purposes are extensions of basic latent variable models in item response theory…

Provides suggestions for ensuring that the benefits of using large-scale student assessments are achieved in the face of challenges to their effective use. Reviews fundamental concepts and concerns in making valid inferences from tests. (SLD)

Contains guidelines that provide an international view of areas of consensus about what constitutes "good practice" in test use. Guidelines address key competencies, such as knowledge and skills, and issues of professional and ethical standards in testing, the rights of test takers, test administration and scoring, and other issues. (SLD)

Provides a tutorial on differential item functioning (DIF) and reviews DIFPACK, a new software package that is specifically designed to test for the presence of DIF. DIFPACK allows the user to test for standard unidirectional DIF, DIF in dichotomous items, DIF in polytomous items, and disordinal, or crossing, DIF. (SLD)