Item response theory (IRT) is currently the dominant methodological paradigm in educational and psychological measurement. IRT models are based on assumptions about the relationship between latent traits and observed responses, so the accuracy of the methodology depends heavily on the reasonableness of these assumptions. This dissertation consists…

Real and perceived misuses of educational tests, errors in test scoring and test use, and incidents of cheating on tests have been widely reported in local and national media. As educational tests take on additional importance for students, teachers, and schools, there is appropriate concern about the quality of assessments and the appropriate use…

Developed as a guide to resources in the Robert E. Kennedy Library at California Polytechnic State University, this bibliography includes a selective listing of books, microfiche, and reference materials on the topic of educational and psychological testing. The publications included either contain sample or entire test items, and…

This paper focuses on challenges to psychologists and psychology graduate students who are blind or visually impaired in the administration and scoring of various psychological tests. Organized by specific tests, the paper highlights those aspects of testing which pose particular difficulty to testers with visual impairments and also describes…

Many individuals working in education-related professions have a variety of needs for educational and psychological tests results regarding their students or clients. This chapter addresses school counselors' use of tests in educational settings and the right to test as a competency-based issue. Although the subject appears on the surface not to…

The Joint Committee on Testing Practices (JCTP) is a coordinating body sponsored by professional organizations and test publishers that seeks to advance the quality of testing practices and insure the rights of test takers. The JCTP has issued a code, reprinted here, advocating fairness in test construction, selection, and interpretation. (AF)

Three major limiting factors are outlined: the lack of appropriate psychological tests, the dearth of properly trained psychologists, and the failure to obtain complete case histories. Several methods of overcoming these drawbacks are described. (Author/DLS)

A survey of 97 school psychologists found that the majority felt they needed additional training in administering, scoring, and interpreting the fourth edition of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale. Thirty-four percent were using the fourth edition. Rank ordering of instruments of choice was: Wechsler scales, Kaufman Scale, old Stanford-Binet,…

The Internet has significantly changed the way people conduct business, communicate, and live. In this article, the authors' focus is on how the Internet influences the practice of psychology as it relates to testing and assessment. The report includes 5 broad sections: background and context, new problems yet old issues, issues for special…

A rationale and practical guide to the psychological evaluation of deaf-blind children is provided. Few adequate tests exist. The Callier Azusa Scale, designed specifically for this population, is recommended as the best instrument. Some items on the Learning Accomplishment Profile are appropriate. Operationally stated skill checklists are also…

This digest lists guides to non-commercial tests and compilations of such tests to help identify potentially useful non-commercial tests and assessment instruments to measure special characteristics of students. Reliability and validity information is frequently available. The guides reviewed include: (1) "Measures for Psychological…

A model for assessing the developmental skills of handicapped children is presented, for school psychologists. Stressing the relationship between assessment, intervention, and program evaluation, it is consistent with Public Law 94-142. Three assessment methods are recommended: parent interview, observation, and adaptive use of standardized tests.…

The literature on testing has documented the existence of persistent anomalies in test scores of bilingual students. School psychology, which is test-dependent and test-defined, has an inadequate technology and knowledge base to deal with the testing of bilingual students, leading to error and misdiagnosis exacerbated by lack of viable testing…

Discusses knowledge needed by counselors to help in choosing appropriate tests for particular clients and problems under consideration and in properly interpreting test scores and integrating them into the total assessment process. Focuses on both statistical and technical knowledge about tests and substantive psychological knowledge about…

This document provides a discussion of the scrutiny for bias and unfairness that standardized tests have come under by persons involved in the construction, administration, use, and interpretation of test results. After this discussion six simulation exercises are provided. In these exercises a situation is described involving the use of test…