Reviews the approaches that have been used to detect cultural, content, predictive, and selection bias in mental tests. Argues that questions of bias are fundamentally questions of validity. Concludes that although much has been learned about the technical details of test bias, social policy questions remain to be resolved. (Author/GC)

Several recent studies are identified that used expert ratings of the job performance of certified professionals as a validation criterion. These studies showed a strong relationship between expert ratings and certification, but were susceptible to alternative interpretations due to design constraints. Inclusion of control constructs is presented…

An historical overview of inductive logic is presented, including the logic of enumerative induction in its rule-derivative and event-predictive forms. An experimental test model of event-predictive induction in the linguistic medium is discussed along with its theoretical significance for future psychometric investigations. (Author/CM)

An analytical, integrating perspective on much of the classroom environment research conducted in the 1970s is provided. The initial development of the Learning Environment Inventory and original research programs are described. (RL)

This paper analyzes research findings about the role of values and beliefs in aptitude testing. Indications are found that the ongoing controversy over the lack of ethnic, racial, and sex fairness in aptitude testing is rooted in the tests themselves. Test designers, it is argued, are influenced by their socioeconomic position (they are usually…

Analyzed published data on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) to ascertain whether the Information and Vocabulary subtests can function as measures of intelligence. Concluded that the addition of more WAIS subtests will not result in any increase in predictive validity and these additional tests, therefore, lack incremental validity.…

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) has been designed to test developed verbal and mathematics reasoning abilities of college-bound students, primarily high school juniors and seniors. For almost a decade there has been a research and development process to evaluate and change the entire SAT program. These changes were implemented in the SAT I:…

Research conducted by the Law School Admission Council since the development of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) in 1948 is described. An overview of the research topics is provided, and relevant published reports are cited in 61 footnotes. The following topics of study are discussed: (1) use and validity of traditional predictors of law…

This document expands upon the discussion of standardized tests in federal legislation and Department of Education rules and regulations, in order to guide practitioners in using these tests and alternative assessment methods more wisely. Amendments of 1988 that address the uses of standardized tests, the federal regulations that implement the…