Structural equation models of the same construct collected on different occasions are evaluated in 2 studies involving the evaluation of 157 college instructors over 8 years and data for over 2,200 high school students over 4 years for the Youth in Transition Study. Results challenge overreliance on simplex models. (SLD)

Sample sizes (n=15, 25, 50, 100) were examined (1,000 times each) with replacement from each of 5 data files from teacher subject test areas to compare statistical bias and standard error. Trivial levels of equating bias were present with small samples, and substantial increases in standard errors were found as the sample size decreased. (MAK)

Latent growth curve modeling provides a powerful and flexible tool for researchers to study individual differences in change as well as the correlates and predictors of change. Recent developments in estimation and hypothesis testing procedures are largely based on confirmatory structural equation approaches. In this article, an alternative…