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Do programs tend to use commercially-produced or self-produced materials?

Despite the availability of commercial placement test, especially in the more commonly taught languages, a larger number of respondents reported using a locally produced test for placement. This could be partially a type of response bias in which programs using locally produced materials felt more inclined to respond to a survey on placement practices. Despite the use of locally produced test and the predominance of constructed-response test use in general, relatively few programs reported the use of item analysis in the development process. If teachers are mainly responsible for placement test construction, some basic knowledge of common test development practices should be beneficial.



Martyn Clark 2004-12-21