The author presents the argument that serious problems exist with regard to the competence of professionals involved in the assessment of exceptional children. Recommendations for improving the competence and performance of professionals are also given. (Author)

Two studies were carried out to determine proficiency of special education teacher diagnosticians (N=95 and 39) in knowledge and application of basic measurement concepts (including reliability, validity, norms, criterion referenced interpretations, measures of central tendency and variability, and interpretive aids). Findings showed that both…

Four human judges agreed highly among themselves about the presence of errors committed by 60 adults solving algebra word problems, but were in less agreement about categorizing faults. An expert system agreed with judges about correctness of answers, but was in even less agreement about categorizing the faults. (SLD)

This study evaluated expert system diagnoses of examinees' solutions to complex constructed-response algebra word problems. Problems were presented to three samples (30 college students each), each of which had taken the Graduate Record Examinations General Test. One sample took the problems in paper-and-pencil form and the other two on computer.…

Presents an overview of issues in the educational assessment of children with learning and behavior disorders. The issues discussed relate to the: focus of assessment, types of abilities evaluated, methods used, technical adequacy of available measures, personnel involved in assessment, assessment of culturally different children, and involvement…