Examined factorial validity of tasks designed to measure cognitive processing in each of Luria's three functional units. Fourth and fifth graders (N=112) were administered nine experimental tasks chosen or developed according to theoretical components of planning, attention, simultaneous, and successive processes. Obtained general support for…

Directions for administering four major preschool instruments were analyzed to determine whether any basic concepts are included in the words spoken by the examiner. Inclusion of basic concepts in test directions may hinder a preschool child's understanding of what is expected of him (and possibly invalidate his scores). (Author)

Performed confirmatory factor analyses of Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC) using subtest correlations for standardization samples provided in manuals to test hypothesis that factors underlying K-ABC are substantially intercorrelated at all age levels for two- and three-factor models. Findings suggest K-ABC cannot distinguish between…

Presents new analysis of Planning-Arousal-Simultaneous-Successive (PASS) model of information integration and provides new results to support operationalization of model. Results of factor analysis of data from PASS test battery responses of 434 students in grades 2, 6, and 10 support utility of assessing planning, simultaneous, and successive…

Cross-validated the factor analysis of the McCarthy Scales and determined construct validity for children who score one standard deviation below the normative mean on general cognitive ability. Findings discourage interpretation of the Quantitative Scale for school-age children with General Cognitive Indexes below 84. (Author)

A review of relevant literatures led to the construction of a self-report instrument designed to measure two subtypes of student engagement with school: cognitive and psychological engagement. The psychometric properties of this measure, the Student Engagement Instrument (SEI), were assessed based on responses of an ethnically and economically…

Employed two strategies used to test prerequisite relationships among intellectual skills to examine the sequence of three types of subtraction tasks. A psychometric validation strategy yielded results similar to instructional validation strategy. Supports the use of the more efficient psychometric approach for validating large numbers of learning…

Compared the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Ability (WJTCA) score profiles of different cultural groups, using 442 White and 435 non-White subjects drawn from the kindergarten through grade 12 subset of WJTCA standardization data. Determined that data allowed for classification of the subtests by both curve and cultural effects criteria.…

Investigated personality dimensions concomitant with learner's cognitive rigidity. Results indicated the personality dimensions of tenseness, compulsivity, group dependency, absent-mindedness, sensitivity, and emotional stability explained 36 percent of the variability in subjects' increasing levels of cognitive rigidity. Showed a pervasive use of…

Investigated the factor structure of a battery of tasks hypothesized to measure the constructs of the planning, attention, and simultaneous-successive (PASS) process model of human cognition. Results suggest that the original PASS model provides an improper factor solution. Recommends further refinement of the PASS theory or tests. (RJM)

Examined the relationships among two psychometric measures of nonverbal cognitive ability - The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) and the Woodcock-Johnson Psychoeducational Battery-Tests of Cognitive Ability (WJPB-TCA) and a neuropsychological test of abstract reasoning and concept formation (Halstead Category Test) in 25…

Examined relations between ratings of mother-child interactions in a problem-solving situation at school entry and academic achievement in grades 2, 3, and 4. Data on the child's cognitive and fine-motor ability and mother's education were also collected at school entry. Academic achievement was assessed with the Iowa Test of Basic Skills.…