Gives implications for design of future cloze tests. Describes research on the validity of this new approach to testing language proficiency. Computer-Adaptive Language Testing at the Defense Language Institute. Presents question formats, measurement rationales, item selection algorithms, presentation process, and procedures for scoring and determining proficiency levels. Describes and evaluates an innovative ESL computer-adaptive test, developed by means of Rasch item response theory procedures.
Evaluation includes statistical and affective aspects.
Explains the scoring method, which offers both quantitative and qualitative judgments. Diagnostic Testing of Language Skill Attrition. Describes a project involving the development of discrete-point diagnostic tests in three languages to be used to assess specific language skill losses after the end of formal language training. Describes two studies leading to the development of multiple criteria used to mainstream ESOL students in a large public school system. Focuses on research about acceptable language proficiency measurement procedures for special populations in public school settings.