Examined the predictive validity of the Gesell School Readiness Tests by correlating measured developmental age and performance in 151 first-grade students. Results show a positive relationship between developmental age and report card grades, modest predictive validity for standardized tests, and low validity for teacher judgment of first-grade…

Findings from a study involving 141 Israeli student teachers suggest that a group assessment procedure is a better alternative for predicting success in a teacher training program than individual interviews, because group assessment more effectively assesses the personality factors most related to teacher success. (IAH)

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)

The study evaluated the predictive validity of DIAL-R, which identifies children aged 2-6 with potential learning problems or giftedness. Based on longitudinal data for 312 elementary-level children, DIAL-R scores were found to have good concurrent sensitivity and specificity but did not correspond well with subsequent special education placement.…

Results from a study of 61 learning-disabled (LD) elementary students provide evidence that the Handwriting Scale included in the Test of Written Language is a valid measure of LD students' handwriting and that LD students have handwriting difficulties. (IAH)

The Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) and an expressive language measure were administered to 114 children (aged 24 to 74 months) suspected of developmental difficulties. The DDST did not identify the majority of children who failed the expressive language screening, even after cutoff scores were made more rigorous. (Author/JDD)

A study involving 34 Dutch eighth-grade teachers and their classes explored the accuracy, reliability, and predictive validity of a logbook procedure for assessing the opportunity to learn mathematics. Results suggest that the logbook approach is reliable and that the variables measured are good predictors of the learning progress. (SLD)

Predictive validities of computer aptitude and computer anxiety were studied using nonprogramming computer performance as the criterion variable for 162 young adults. Effects of computer anxiety on performance were negligible, and computer aptitude yielded uncertain results. The measurement instruments' reliability was also reported. (SLD)

Predictive validity of preadmissions measures may be understated because of correctable defects in freshman year and cumulative high school grade point averages (GPAs). A study used item response theory (IRT) to develop a more reliable measure of performance and test it using Stanford University data. Results showed increased predictability.…

This study, involving 70 intermediate grade students, found that scores on the Matrix Analogies Test-Short Form (MAT-SF) were significantly lower than all of the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS) composite scores. The MAT-SF correlated significantly with all areas of the CTBS composite and spelling scores. (Author/JDD)

This study tested the predictions of Fischer's skill theory for Kitchener and King's reflective judgment model. A total of 156 14- to 28-year-old students were tested, utilizing the Reflective Judgement Interview (RJI) and Prototypic Reflective Judgement Interview (PRJI). Subjects scored higher on the PRJI than they did on the RJI. There was a…

Assessments of marital interaction during conflict resolution obtained when children were five-years-old predicted teachers' ratings of children's internalizing and externalizing behaviors when the children were eight-years-old. In particular, the "Mutually Hostile" marital interaction pattern correlated with later marital dissolution…

A review of 47 health care education research articles in 9 medical and health care disciplines looked for evidence that the studies attempted to predict success in the health care professions. Results indicated very few of the studies used any of the three major methods for testing predictive validity. (Author/MSE)

A new statistical model based for identifying potential major donors was developed from a portion (n=53,276) of the Northwestern University (Illinois) alumni database. The model, utilizing logit analysis, found that the most critical measure was individuals' past giving records. Results indicate prospects with a low past giving level will rarely…

This book reports results of a National Research Council study and the validity of generalizing from its studies of about 500 occupations to over 12,000 jobs. The use of the General Aptitude Test Battery for prediction is discussed, and its impact and recommendations for future use are considered. (SLD)