Update on the Revision of the Test Standards Jan 97

The Joint Committee on the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing had a busy and productive year in 1996. First, was the release and review of the five draft technical chapters. The Committee received over 1600 pages of commentary on the 108 pages of text they distributed! A May, 1996 meeting focused on the Committee's review and discussion of comments, with subsequent revision of the five chapters.

The Committee also made significant progress on the rest of the Standards, which now has 10 additional draft chapters, an introduction, and a glossary. The "new" chapters comprise two sections: one on fairness, which includes chapters on disabilities and individuals whose first language is not English; and one on specific applications of testing, including chapters on psychological testing, educational testing, employment and credentialing, and program evaluation. These drafts were reviewed and discussed by the Committee in its November, 1996 meeting. The Joint Committee now plans to release for review and comment the full draft (introduction, 15 chapters and glossary) following its February, 1997 meeting. Their tentative timeline will ask commenters to submit suggestions by August, 1997.

SIOP's Scientific Affairs Committee will again be responsible for developing a reaction to the draft on behalf of the Society. If individuals would like more information, please contact Dianne Schneider at (202) 336-6000 or sci.apa@email.apa.org.