Considered are three components of comprehension (literal meaning, presupposition and inference, and illocutionary acts), and reviewed are types of clinical instruments used to measure language comprehension in children. (Author/CL)

The author rebuts two points in an article from the November issue that criticized those who criticize standardized tests. (IRT)

Conventional linear and equipercentile procedures are reviewed with an emphasis on their utility for equating achievement tests pitched at different levels of difficulty. It is argued that the equipercentile procedure is superior to the linear procedure, but that neither is very satisfactory for the vertical equating problem. (Author/JKS)

A review of the International Olympic Committee's ban and subsequent reinstatement of a certain drug found in birth-control pills points out the need for careful analysis of drugs and their effects before they are banned. (CB)

The author points out the limited usefulness of standardized tests in identifying gifted students. Research is cited to dispute common assumptions underlying many tests, including that speed is important, that intelligence is last year's achievement, and that testing must be conducted in an anxiety producing situation. (CL)

The functions, goals, and characteristics of test standardization are discussed, including an explanation of how score equating as an aspect of standardization is essential to the achievement of equity in testing. Psychometric specialists and testing program directors must understand score equating to ensure equitable use of tests. (Author/AL)

The history of the National Consortium on Testing is discussed, including its founding, goals, initial emphasis, and some of the problems encountered by the group. Participation by the American Educational Research Association (AERA) is also discussed. (MH)

This book is a practical text that provides concrete solutions to problems related to academic dishonesty with an overview of research and theory and strategies for preventing, confronting, and managing the problem. (SLD)

This book presents what is known about cheating and is a strong foundation for anyone interested in developing or reevaluating policies and procedures to address the issue of cheating on tests. (SLD)

Proposed two new indices to detect answer copying on a multiple choice test and conducted a simulation study to investigate the usefulness of both indexes. Discusses conditions under which the proposed indexes can be useful. (SLD)

Instructed preadolescents to "fake bad" on comprehensive neuropsychological testing, then had cases reviewed by 42 clinical neuropsychologists. Ninety-three percent of reviewers diagnosed abnormality, most attributing results to cortical dysfunction; no clinician detected malingering. Results are consistent with other studies exploring…

Reviews randomized response technique (RRT), survey method developed to reduce or eliminate underreporting of sensitive behaviors. Describes RRT models successfully used in application studies, considers issues important in using various RRT models, and illustrates their use with some realistic data examples. Discusses techniques for reducing…

Looks at literacy levels in the long term where it is easy to show that achievements have risen and in the shorter term, where it is not so easy. Discusses the problems in finding secure measuring instruments, standardized tests, and examinations. (JOW)

Correctional officers (176 of 344 sampled) completed a task inventory that included 5 bogus tasks in a false reporting index. Degree of false report was related to the type of rating scale used. Overall, 45% indicated they performed tasks that were not part of the job. (SK)

The relationship between student scores on standardized achievement tests taken in the eighth grade and the Ohio Ninth Grade Proficiency Test (ONGPT) was studied to determine whether standardized achievement test cut-off scores can be used in place of the ONGPT. Students enrolled in the eighth grade in an urban school district in the spring of…