Despite the early onset of challenging behaviors, there is a lack of research investigating the function of challenging behavior in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental disabilities (DDs). The current study evaluated group differences in the frequency and severity of five functions of challenging behavior (i.e.,…

Measurement invariance (MI) is a property of measurement that is often implicitly assumed, but in many cases, not tested. When the assumption of MI is tested, it generally involves determining if the measurement holds longitudinally or cross-culturally. A growing literature shows that other groupings can, and should, be considered as well.…

The aim of the present study was to investigate the reliability and validity of a brief standardized assessment of children's working memory; "Lucid Recall." Although there are many established assessments of working memory, "Lucid Recall" is fully automated and can therefore be administered in a group setting. It is therefore…

This article proposes that sampling design effects have potentially huge unrecognized impacts on the results reported by large-scale district and state assessments in the United States. When design effects are unrecognized and unaccounted for they lead to underestimating the sampling error in item and test statistics. Underestimating the sampling…

This study investigated the application of multidimensional item response theory (IRT) models to validate test structure and dimensionality. Multiple content areas or domains within a single subject often exist in large-scale achievement tests. Such areas or domains may cause multidimensionality or local item dependence, which both violate the…

Repeating validation procedures used for the Children's Group Embedded Figures Test Level II (ages 9-11), this Level I test of cognitive style was administered to a second grade sample. It proved reliable and significantly related to the individual Children's Embedded Figures Test and the Portable Rod-and-Frame Test. (Author/SJL)

Because teachers' oral directions for group achievement tests assume that children understand numerous basic concepts, the construct validity of subtests assessing abilities other than language is questionable. Implications for teacher administration of primary level tests and suggestions for future test construction are described. (JD)

The present study assessed the feasibility of using a widely recognized style measure, the Group Embedded Figures Test, with fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders. The results were generally favorable with respect ot the test's applicability to these age groups. (Author/PN)

This article discusses practical and theoretical problems related to the measurement of formal operations. The first section of the article discusses problems in measuring formal operations using the clinical interview method. These problems include the lack of both a standardized interview and a uniform scoring procedure. Section two discusses…

Samples of entering first-grade students were used to examine the predictive validity of the group administered Metropolitan Readiness Test (MRT) and the individually administered Meeting Street School Screening Test (MSSST). The advantage of the latter was found to possibly outweigh the advantage of efficiency in group administration. (Author/GK)

A unidimensional latent trait model was used to test a single-factor hypothesis of the Lawson Classroom Test of Formal Reasoning. The test failed to provide a valid measure of formal reasoning. This was a result of test format which neglected aspects of formal reasoning emphasized by Inhelder and Piaget. (Author/DWH)

Significant correlations were found between risk group designation and achievement performance. Findings support the predictive validity of screening procedures for group test performance through grade four. Sutdents perform consistently at the same level year to year in a regular class instructional program. (Author)

Test scores from Comprehensive Ability Battery (CAB) administered to 103 British students were subjected to oblique factor analysis. Six factors were extracted which fitted closely those described by Cattell and colleagues, thus supporting their claims concerning structure of abilities and utility of this American instrument in Great Britain. (CMG)

The purpose of this research was to investigate the diagnostic validity of the Maryland Diagnostic Arithmetic Test (MDAT) as a group-administered test. The MDAT is a domain-referenced diagnostic test consisting of several sub-tests covering the content of elementary school arithmetic from sets to non-negative rational numbers. Forty-five…

A new self-report measure of impulsivity was developed to provide group administration and economy of scoring. An initial set of 26 items was constructed to tap various aspects of impulsivity, or the tendency to respond quickly without thinking. The items were administered to 346 male undergraduate students, primarily freshmen and sophomores. Item…