Two groups of students were compared as to their death related experiences. Students in the Sociology of Death class reported more deaths of friends and relatives over two five-year periods and more work experiences in death-related settings than students in the control group. (Author)

Compared the factor structure of a modified Behavior Problem Checklist for groups of Mexican-American and Anglo-American preschool children from low socioeconomic-class families. Only the Anxiety-Withdrawal dimension exhibited strong cross-cultural similarity. Results suggest that emergent classification systems should allow for cultural variation…

This discussion of computer-assisted repeatable tests, which are frequently used to evaluate and monitor students' acquisition of knowledge in mastery learning situations, cites and describes a number of specific examples of systems for creating both online and batch tests. A reference list is provided. (JJD)

As its name implies, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 was full of promise for handicapped students and their parents. The authors examine the gap between the philosophy and the reality of six promises made in P.L. 94-142. (Part of a theme issue on mainstreaming.) (Editor/SJL)

Assessed reliability and validity for an instrument designed to assess depressiform cognitions. The results suggest that the scale is promising, however, a strong sex effect was noted in some of the characteristics of attribution. Suggests the need to evaluate sexual-cultural differences in attributional processes associated with depression.…

Dr. Saul Cooperman, newly appointed Commissioner of Education in New Jersey, discusses his views on state aid cuts; the "Thorough and Efficient" Law, formally known as the Public School Education Act of 1975; paper work, urban education, good schools, and other issues facing New Jersey public education. (Author/LC)

Addresses trends in test development and interpretation over the past 10 years and explores test and inventory usage in counseling centers in three articles. Reactions, in two articles, address specific issues raised and overall trends. (RC)

Compared families with an adolescent girl who scored high on maturity, with families with an adolescent girl who scored low. Adolescents in the high scoring group came from families described as flexible and trusting. The high scoring adolescents were less likely to be triangled into the marital relationship. (Author)

Advises principals about their responsibilities concerning the educational assessment of handicapped students. Discusses the scope of assessment, test validity and reliability, commonly used tests, assessment issues, and specific actions principals can take. (Author/WD)

In setting performance standards for schoolchildren, the school system not only announces what students must know; it specifies what it presumes it can teach. Tests of competency should be merely a monitoring device to indicate whether the system is meeting its obligation to students. (Author)

An attempt is made at providing cohesion and structure for a range of disparate activities and examining their interrelationships. Among concepts considered are: (1) the relationship of philosophic analysis in education; (2) the nature of pedagogical research; (3) the process-product paradigm; (4) aim-oriented empiricism; (5) the reduction thesis;…

Compared selected psychological indices of married couples who attended marriage enrichment programs. Results reveal that participants in the five-week group showed more improved marital adjustment than those in the weekend group. Wives demonstrated more positive changes than husbands. Overall, both marriage enrichment programs appeared to be…

Eighteen Mexican American pupils in the grades 1-3 from two urban Kansas schools were tested, using 18 pairs of sound contrasts, for auditory discrimination problems related to their language-different background. Results showed v-b, ch-sh, and s-sp contrasts were the most difficult for subjects to discriminate. (LC)

Compared alternate forms of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised for (N=72) preschool children. Results indicated differences between Form L and Form M mean scores were nonsignificant for Whites, males, females, and the total group. For Black preschoolers, Form L was apparently more difficult to complete successfully than Form M. (Author)

Examines various forms of pure skills and skills combination laboratory testing developed at the Geddes Language Center (GLC) of Boston University during the past 10 years. Discusses suggestions for refinements and basic testing principles for each format, based on an evaluation of oral/aural exams on file at GLC. (MES)