A survey designed to investigate how challenges to school library materials relate to the overall selection process found that (1) the number of challenges increased steadily with increasing grade level; (2) local challenges were more restrictive than state challenges; and (3) active challenges affected administrators' selection, making them more…

A linear utility model is introduced for optimal selection where several subpopulations of applicants are to be distinguished. Using this model, procedures are described for obtaining optimal cutting scores in subpopulations in quota-free as well as quota-restricted selection situations. The procedures are demonstrated with empirical data.…

To aid secondary school and college level economics teachers as they select textbooks for introductory economics courses, this article recounts how teachers can use the Flesch Reading Ease Test to measure readability. Data are presented on application of the Flesch Reading Ease Test to 15 introductory economics textbooks. (Author/DB)

The findings of this large-scale study indicate that a high degree of consistency existed among assessor evaluations of participants and that there was little relationship between age, sex, or years of service and assessment center performance. (Author/IRT)

Discussion of the book review process focuses on a study that evaluated the efficacy of major journal reviews as a selection tool for books for adult children of alcoholics. Highlights include selection strategies for books not reviewed by major media; multiple reviews; small press books; and recommendations for strengthening review media. (12…

This simulation investigated two procedures that reduce differences between paper-and-pencil testing and computerized adaptive testing (CAT) by making CAT content sensitive. Results indicate that the price in terms of additional test items of using constrained CAT for content balancing is much smaller than that of using testlets. (SLD)

Decision rules for assigning students to treatments based upon aptitudes or criterion scores are discussed. Popular procedures are criticized and a Bayesian approach is recommended. The effect of unreliability of aptitude or criterion scores is also discussed. (JKS)

Summarizes a study involving three high school English teachers' efforts to integrate multicultural literature into the curriculum. The analysis, highlighting teachers' concerns and decisional influences, argues that teachers must not only select multicultural texts, but they must change their notions of what counts as a text and how they…

Higher demands on administrators have rendered traditional selection methods less adequate. Many schools have responded by adopting assessment centers to identify administrator qualifications. Previous research and contact with assessment centers through letters, phone calls, and a survey furnished the information for this study. Twenty-five of…

Evaluates the effectiveness of using motion/sound, slide/sound, and story boards in teaching a specific motor skill. Performance tests indicated that learners using motion film performed significantly better than those using either slides or workbooks, and required significantly less time. Thirteen references are listed. (Author/MER)

Supports multiple regression analysis as a tool for isolating the impact of newspaper content on newspaper sales. (RL)

It is more satisfactory to use a mechanically produced prediction of candidates' student teaching grades (based on multiple selection criteria) for selection of candidates for teacher education programs than to use any other single criterion. Greater specificity of variables leads to more accurate prediction of student teaching performance. (SB)

The Electronic Switching System (ESS) Minicourse was designed to serve as a second-stage selection procedure for candidates for the full ESS training program. A criterion-related validity study was undertaken to provide further evidence of validity as well as data helpful in setting a cutting score. (Editor/SJL)

The Vocational Instruction, Training and Assessment (VITA) Project conducted a study to determine whether a battery of tests used with a sample of handicapped students enrolled in vocational education program(s) could aid in predicting success in vocational training. Procedures, instruments, and student samples were selected to provide data on (1)…

A study conducted to determine user acceptability of cassette braille systems addressed three concerns: (1) user reaction to the basic concept of cassette braille, (2) the determination of the strong and weak features of the cassette braille machines currently available, and (3) the determination of those features of braille machines which would…