Seventy-seven hearing students were tested to compare the original and revised forms of the Tennessee Self Concept Scale (TSCS), and 75 deaf and 27 hard-of-hearing students supplied test-retest data on the revised form. Good reliability was established as compared to the original, and reliability of the revised TSCS was demonstrated over time.…

Examined whether method of presentation (live vs. taped) affected scores on Blending and Memory for Sentences subtests of Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery in two age levels of 60 Black and 60 White children. Results indicated that live voice presentation benefitted all groups in their scores on both subtests. (NRB)

Students with learning disabilities can prepare for the SATs (Stanford Achievement Tests) by (1) counseling sessions to discuss college prerequisites and pre-admission tests; (2) taking more academic courses or procuring necessary remedial help; (3) school personnel identifying and correcting skill weaknesses; and (4) discussing abuses and uses of…

Teacher-made tests can be adapted for learning disabled students during the process of test construction (incorporating aspects of directions, individual items, and test design) or during test administration. (CL)

The Binghamton (New York) City School District uses test scores in an annual curriculum review to identify subjects in which students are academically weak and need improvement. (MD)

Analysis of questionnaires completed by 79 special education supervisors revealed that (1) schools are satisfied with appraisal services provided; (2) the majority of districts contract for appraisal services; (3) employed examiners are more involved in total assessment processes than contracted examiners; and (4) examiners do not participate in…

A study of the written language test performance of a grade four learning-disabled French Immersion student revealed notable qualitative improvement between pretest and posttest settings concurrent with either minimal or no quantitative improvement. These observations suggest that standardized test instruments may not be the most appropriate tool…

Former NCME presidents comment on 1985 NCME Presidential Address: (1) William E. Coffman suggests an NCME review panel on testing programs; (2) Thomas J. Fitzgibbon sees a need for formative evaluation; (3) Jason Millman believes validity in assessment depends on purpose; and (4) Lorrie A. Shepard believes that tests may be poor agents of reform.…

This article provides unbiased estimates of the proportion of items in an item domain that an examinee would answer correctly if every item were attempted, when a closed sequential testing procedure is used. (Author)

A survey of 285 assessment personnel in Texas indicated that most assessment personnel do not believe themselves adequately prepared to conduct assessments of students with severe disabilities and desired additional training. Further, a higher percentage of those assessment personnel with training perceived themselves to have the competency than…

An administrator criticizes the Warnock Report and the British Education Act of 1981 for provisions regarding assessment which, he suggests, undermine an interdisciplinary approach and risk divided responsibility. He recommends an inconspicuous approach to testing used at his school. (CL)

Confusion is cited regarding the meaning and nature of central auditory dysfunction, and types of tests composing a central auditory test battery are described. Tests focus on auditory closure, auditory figure-ground, and dichotic listening. (CL)

Grade equivalent scores and standard scores for 32 elementary learning disabled were compared and yielded significant correlations. Mean grade equivalent scores did, however, significantly differ for the two reading measures but not when standard scores were used. The two math indices yielded nonsignificant grade equivalent scores. (Author/CL)

Twenty-eight profoundly deaf students, aged eight to 11, did not recall spatial order of viewed pictures better than temporal order, were not less competent in probed recognition than 66 age-equivalent hearing students, and made fewer recognitions in temporal-probe than in spatial-probe conditions. Other results were found. (Author/MC)

Relationships between cheating and distracting study conditions are studied in light of the premise that if an individual is frustrated in his attempts to learn he will be more likely to cheat. (MM)