Identifies hindsight bias as the tendency to exaggerate one's ability to have foreseen the outcome of an event after learning the outcome. Describes a class project where students predicted the verdict of the O. J. Simpson trial one week before the verdict and hypothesized a jury response a month later. (MJP)

Examined the nature and stability of teacher ratings of early learning-related social skills in 72 preschoolers (3 to 4 years old) and again 1 year later. Confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modeling revealed that a construct labeled "learning-related social skills," tapping self-control, cooperation, assertion, and…

In this study, planning time was manipulated as a variable in a trial administration of a semi-direct oral interaction test. Discourse analytic techniques were used to determine the nature and/or significance of difference in the elicited discourse across two conditions in terms of complexity and accuracy. Findings suggest that planning time may…

Discussion of the use of microcomputers in education focuses on the use of microcomputers for evaluation purposes. A study that collected performance data on both college students and the evaluation instrument is described, reliability and validity of the test are discussed, and the use of microcomputers to redesign instructional systems is…

Develops and validates the Masculine Behavior Scale (MBS) which is an objective self-report instrument designed to measure the following behavioral tendencies stereotypically imputed more to males than to females: (1) restrictive emotionality; (2) inhibited affection; (3) success dedication; and (4) exaggerated self-reliance. Analyzes scale's…

Discusses a study of the effectiveness of employing multiple measures and sources of data to place students in appropriate mathematics courses. Considers the use of achievement test scores, high school mathematics grades, clinical evaluation techniques, and content-oriented examinations in assessment. (DMM)

The reliability of a method of adjusting grade point averages for differences in college-departmental grading standards was examined, using 409 female and 518 male Dartmouth graduates. Such adjustments' effects on predictive validity of high-school grades, Scholastic Aptitude Test scores, and achievement test scores were assessed, including gender…

Discusses the development of the Indonesian Chart of Developmental Milestones, designed for use with existing nutrition and mother-child welfare programs to monitor children's development. A reliability and validity study using 108 Indonesian children from birth to 36 months of age established a tester-observer reliability of 0.97 and a…

Analyzes public interest in early childhood care and education (ECCE) policy. Chronicles federal policy in this area from the mid-1960s to the present, with particular attention to changes in the amount of funding and its allocation. Argues that ECCE policy is inadequately funded, fragmented, and internally inconsistent, and provides alternative…

The Student Self-Concept Scale (SSCS) assesses self-efficacy expectations, outcome expectations, and subjective task value across academic, social, and self-image domains. This article discusses the scale's theoretical basis, standardization, reliability, and validity and offers a case study illustrating use of the SSCS with a child who had a…

Using a revised faith-maturity scale, researchers examined young adults in Adventist and public schools, comparing the data with the controversial Valuegenesis sample. Data analysis found the Thayer Mature Faith Scale valid and reliable. Students in Christian education demonstrated significant advancement in faith maturity over students in public…

Results from a performance assessment in which 68 high school students wrote essays support the use of latent variable modeling for estimating reliability, concurrent validity, and generalizability of a scoring rubric. The latent variable modeling approach overcomes the limitations of certain conventional statistical techniques in handling…

Generalizability theory is used to examine the psychometric characteristics of the Listening and Writing Tests developed by American College Testing for its Work Keys program. Results with samples of 50 suggest the desirability of a minimum number of the tests' tape-recorded messages and the use of at least 2 raters. (SLD)

Validity evidence for a new instrument, the Situation-Response Measure of Achievement Motivation for analyzing cross-situational consistency of achievement-related behavior, is presented in a study of 246 college students. Exploratory factor analysis indicates the presence of two factors, striving and apprehensiveness. (SLD)

The effectiveness of alternative procedures to correct for rater leniency/stringency effects was studied when true scores were known. Ordinary least squares, weighted least squares, and imputation of the missing data consistently outperformed averaging the observed ratings; and the imputation technique was superior to the least squares methods.…