Educators sought to use psychological tests to improve student experience. For example, in high school business programs, more students wanted to take stenography than many other parts of the curriculum. At the same time, the skills required were quite specific. Paul L. Turse (1903-2004), the chairman of the commercial department in the high school in Peekskill, New York, developed this examination to test aptitude for shorthand It was published by World Book Company in 1940. It is divided into seven parts – stroking, spelling, phonetic association, symbol transcription, discrimination between words having very similar shorthand outlines, longhand writing, and word sense. In addition to tests, materials include directions for giving the test, instructions for giving and for scoring, and a blank form for recording scores for the entire class.
Compare 1990.0034.062 and 1990.0034.063.
References:
Conrad, Ed, “Testing Idea Still Being Used,” Standard-Speaker from Hazelton, Pennsylvania, March 30, 1991, p. 5.
Jack, Melvin C., The Use of a Shorthand Aptitude Test in Predicting Achievement in the Study of Shorthand , Master’s Thesis, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 1947.
Turse, P. L. "Problems in Shorthand Prognosis." Journal of Business Education, 1938, 13, 17-20.
Turse, P. L. "A Defense of Aptitude Tests." Journal of Business Education, 1941, 17, pp. 19-20.
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