The research base on teacher training in measurement has indicated
cause for concern. In the most comprehensive study of this
issue to date, Schafer and Lissitz (1987) surveyed the measurement
training practices of the American Colleges of Teacher Education
(AACTE) member institutions. They found that less than half of the
teacher education programs required a formal course in testing and
measurement for graduation. Moreover, this is not a newly identified
problem. Noll (1955) reported that only 21% of a sample of teacher
education programs required a course in measurement. He concluded
that prospective teachers' training in testing and measurement
is "almost certainly inadequate to prepare them to function effectively
in an area so essential to their success as teachers. The situation
should be a real matter of concern to all engaged in the work of
educatin.g teachers" (p. 90). Apparently, the level of concern has not
grown too greatly, given the findings of Schafer and Lissitz (1987) that
most teacher education programs do not require a course in measurement.