Presents Jerome Sattler's encouraging research on a nonverbal form of selected Stanford Binet and Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children subtests, to assess normal, mentally retarded, and cerebral-palsied children. Recommends future research on the predictive validity and multiple-choice modification of the tests. (CP)

Notes problems in using reading tests intended for children when testing adults; attempts to clarify some of these problems by making explicit the assumptions implicit in the practice of using children's reading tests with adults. (GT)

Reports on a study which sought to determine the validity of the Advanced Placement Spanish Language Examination by comparing the performance on the multiple-choice section of this test of three groups: (1) advanced placement students, (2) second-year college students, and (3) third-year college students. (AM)

Psychological cost, benefit, and profit scales, with regard to continued education, were constructed on the basis of questionnaire data from 421 high school seniors. The analyses showed a clear, positive relationship between psychological benefit-profit and level of aspiration with regard to continued education. (Author)

Examined user reaction to computer-administered and paper-and-pencil-administered forms of the Strong Interest Inventory. Results indicate that user reactions to the two administration modes were reasonably similar in most areas. However, the computer group indicated more often that their version was easier to use and follow. (RJM)

Examines issues related to the measurement of potential learning problems of young children. Looks at the rationale for screening, the instability of behavior, the use of inappropriate measures; defines the "at-risk" population, and problems in prediction. Presents a method for calculating the predictive validity of a screening measure. (RJM)

Reviews the usefulness of proficiency models influencing second language testing. Findings indicate that several factors contribute to the lack of congruence between models and test construction and make a case for distinguishing between theoretical models. Underscores the significance of an empirical, contextualized and structured approach to the…

A method to investigate consequential evidence of validity for a state assessment developed to change teacher instructional practices is presented. Survey responses from over 1,000 Kansas teachers were used to construct a path model that allowed effects of the state assessment to be studied at building and teacher levels. (SLD)

Examined 13 career subscales contained in 4 measures of career indecision to determine how different measures relate to one another and how many dimensions may exist across these different instruments using 122 college student subjects. Factor analysis yielded a 3-factor solution accounting for 55.9 percent of the variance. (Author/ABL)

The Learning Disability Index (LDI) was validated by an examination for mean profiles and demographic characteristics of high and low LDI subsets of the standardization sample of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised. The LDI continuum was found to measure Third Factor strengths/weaknesses as much as verbal-performance…

The special educator must be aware of possible sources of error in assessment of children with learning problems. Sources of error can be attributed to unconscious examiner bias, ambiguous test responses, linguistic and cultural differences of the examiner and examinee, previous test-taking experience, and problems with test reliability and…

A study of 33 elementary/middle school deaf children correlated Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised Performance Intelligence Quotients (IQs) with Stanford Achievement Test-Hearing Impaired Edition (SAT-HI) grade equivalents and age-based percentiles. A second study of 64 children correlated nonverbal IQs from many tests with SAT-HI…

Three major pragmatic issues in computerized testing are addressed: (1) encouraging teacher use; (2) reporting of information; and (3) test construction. Reference is made to four related articles. Additional areas for research include reporting of test information; item bank standards; validity; and rules for stopping in computerized testing.…

Reviews the evaluation by the National Academy of Science (NAS) of the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB), which was developed to predict the job performance of potential employees. Proposes that the NAS recommendation to correct the GATB's racial bias by "race-norming" was a political decision and not scientifically justified. (FMW)

Critics voice concern over the validity of multiple-choice tests and suggest alternatives which focus teaching more on thinking skills and less on rote learning. Essay tests are an authentic form of testing currently used from middle school through college. The article recommends training teachers in the area of testing. (SM)