Federal regulations allow up to 2% of the student population of a state to achieve proficiency for adequate yearly progress by taking an alternate assessment based on modified academic achievement standards (AA-MAS). Such tests are likely to be easier, but as long as a test is considered a valid measure of grade level content, it is allowable as…

The purpose of this study was to use multivariate techniques in a federally-regulated validation study, and compare the results obtained from zero-order correlations and multiple correlations with the results obtained using factor scores and canonical correlation. The subjects consisted of 51 applicants for the position of patrolman. (Author/CTM)

In the next few years employers will frequently be confronted with the fact that they cannot rely on undocumented, subjective selection procedures. As long as disparate impact exists in employee selection, employers will be required to validate whatever selection procedures they use. (Author/IRT)

The author proposes a substitute for demonstrating the validity of employment tests, based on his study of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and federal executive agency guidelines and of court decisions relating to personnel selection. He states that test validation is still best but may not be necessary if steps are taken to avoid adverse…

Recent court cases leave unresolved the controversy over the presence of bias in major tests involving assessment of minority children throughout the country. Federal legislation has emphasized the need for establishing nonbiased testing procedures, and many changes in the assessment repertoire will occur in the next few years. (FG)

A liberal interpretation of Section 151 of Public Law 93-380, to implement effective local evaluation of Title I programs, is supported. Weaknesses are cited: (1) nationwide impact data, (2) unsound aggregation of Title I achievement gains, and (3) lack of consideration of alternative evaluation methods. (MH)

The standards-based education reform movement has serious implications for students who are English language learners (ELLs), particularly with regard to wide scale assessment. Standards-based reform has been promoted nationwide through two federal initiatives--the Goals 2000: Educate America Act and Title I of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary…

A defense of the System of Multicultural Pluralistic Assessment (SOMPA) in response to previous articles in this issue of this journal is presented by the test developer. The defense is detailed and addresses each previous article. (JKS)

The problems existing during the reorganization of the Cleveland School District into a unitary administration are presented from the perspective of the head of the Research and Analysis Department. The district had been fighting a desegregation case for 9 years and operating in a receivership with a triple bureaucracy imposed upon it (the normal…

Procedures that have been used for assessing a discrepancy between ability and achievement of students suspected to have a learning disability are examined. Methodological deficiencies and/or unavailability of conclusive validity evidence are cited to support the conclusion that all of the procedures are worthless for screening purposes. (SEW)

This book considers legal questions, theoretical issues, and practical methods for meeting the assessment needs of students with disabilities. It is comprised of ten chapters and includes test accommodation topics relating to federal and state regulations (including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997), problems…

The content of the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act is described, its current interpretations are examined, and the implications for developing a responsible language and citizenship curriculum to conform to the legislation are discussed. Specific attention is focused on the law's requirement that illegal aliens applying for amnesty and…

This monograph, structured for administrative use in analyzing and building systems for selecting teachers, outlines the legal, applied, and theoretical issues of teacher selection. This overview is presented in five sections. "Legal Aspects of Teacher Selection" examines individual rights and employer reactions in relation to federal and state…