This report introduces the topic of assessment centers, an increasingly common personnel selection and development tool. A description of assessment center usefulness and their role in the selection of Austin Independent School District assistant principals and principals is also provided.

This study seeks to develop and validate an Assessment Centre (AC) tool for the evaluation and selection of school leaders, focusing on the identification of competencies that influence teaching and learning outcomes. International research supports the creation of Assessment Centres to select candidates for these roles, due to their superior…

Discusses guidelines for users of the assessment center method that were developed and endorsed by practitioners. Includes explanations of the most important concepts common to all assessment centers and suggestions to maximize the benefits obtained from the use of this method. (JOW)

In an Irish bank, 135 applicants were evaluated in an assessment center. Results did not support the validity of such centers. Exercises lacked content validity, and criterion validity was similarly poor. (SK)

One potential source of variation in assessment center ratings may be the way the assessor organizes and processes information. To examine how assessment center methods affect the way assessors organize and process assessment center information and the ratings they make, independent groups of assessors (N=24) used one of two models for integrating…

High risk of liability makes assessment centers a viable method for selection of police officers. Despite high costs, centers offer the advantages of observation of actual job-related behavior, support in the legal arena, and validity. Video technology and other options have potential for reducing the expense. (SK)

Effectiveness of assessment centers for personal selection in banking was tested with 135 applicants. Results do not support literature findings of the construct and criterion validity of centers. An exercise effect was apparent: judgments made by assessors were interpretable in terms of the exercises used rather than dimensions related to the…

Developmental assessment centers focus on helping existing staff improve job performance. These centers are most effective when they combine clear, precise feedback with pragmatic, on-the-job follow-up, although they do cost more to operate. (SK)

The methods used in corporate assessment centers for personnel selection and development are being applied in other areas such as performance evaluation and the development of work teams. Response to dramatic changes in jobs and occupations will keep the assessment center concept at the forefront of personnel development. (SK)

Recent research illustrates the increasingly important role of the school principal. As a result, procedures for selecting principals have also become more critical to rural school districts. School systems, particularly rural school districts, are encouraged to adopt systematic, rational means for selecting administrators. Such procedures will…

Kaizen is a Japanese management concept that means gradual, ongoing improvement involving everyone from top management to production workers. This concept is starting to appear in American companies, and it requires the personnel department to do a much more thorough assessment of job applicants, testing for leadership skills, interpersonal…

The author describes use of a personnel assessment center, a process that identifies managerial potential for purposes of selection, placement, promotion, development, or a combination of these factors. Elements of the process (determining skills to be assessed, evaluating skills, job skills exercises, interview exercises, written exercises) are…

Describes the function of an assessment center, which consists of a standardized evaluation of behavior based on multiple inputs. Judgments are made in part by means of specially developed assessment simulations based on a thorough job analysis. Such judgments are used for management decision-making and career development. (JAC)

This article sets out a detailed commentary on the neglected end of the assessment centre, namely, the candidate. It highlights the variety of ways in which assessment centres do not always live up to their claims and can act against rather than in the interests of the candidate. It shares with assessment, counselling and guidance professionals an…

Current work force trends such as teamwork, empowerment, and quality pose challenges for traditional testing. Tests that can provide diagnostic developmental information for improving job performance are needed. Innovative practices such as video-based testing are emerging. (SK)