Author discusses the pattern of entries of boys and girls to public science examinations and their achievement in these tests. (SA)

Three studies investigating the psychometric and conceptual properties of the self-report Survey of Ethical Attitudes inventory indicated that the scale is clearly susceptible to response dissimulation through role playing and impression management and is also confounded with sources of stylistic variance in the form of social desirability.…

Challenges current practices in language evaluation for school-aged children with significant hearing loss. It argues for an interactive approach to assessment and offers specific recommendations for the interpretation of test results. Application of current connectionist and competition theories of language acquisition suggests the concept of…

Three case studies illustrate problems in the identification of gifted students when tests are not used appropriately. The paper concludes that testing must occur within the context of intensive observations of and discussions with the child and family. The importance of all teachers receiving training in gifted education is stressed. (DB)

An ideal process is outlined for test item development and the study of item responses to ensure that tests are sound. Qualitative and quantitative methods are used to assess the item-level validity evidence for high-stakes examinations. A checklist for assessment is provided. (SLD)

Focuses on the appropriate use of tests to evaluate a program according to the overall goals, approaches, and specific instructional contents of that particular program. The article emphasizes that often test results are viewed as indicators of the success or failure of a program without considering whether the aims of that program and the…

The valid interpretation of international testing program results in mathematics and science must recognize inherent limitations to international comparisons, and should give opportunity-to-learn as much importance as achievement data. Canadian test results, looked at in this light, appear better than some critics have suggested. (Author/SLD)

This article discusses a workshop that explored research barriers in early intervention for children with autism in the United Kingdom. Following a summary of presentations, recommendations are made for the research agenda, basic research design, data collection, data analysis, interpretation of tests, improving statistical power, and a research…

Increasingly neuropsychologists are under pressure, particularly in child custody and personal injury litigation, to justify the validity of the tests upon which their assessments are based. Reviews research on the validity of clinical opinions based on tests and concludes that test scores must be used in conjunction with life history and current…

Analyzes five trends in computer-assisted testing as they relate to goals of counseling psychology: (1) computer-based test interpretation; (2) computer-assisted instruction; (3) integration of audio-visual media; (4) adaptive devices for diverse populations; and (5) computer-assisted research. Resource commitment, research priorities, and ethical…

Reviews four decades of research on test interpretation. No clear evidence favors one interpretation modality over another, though clients seem to prefer individual interpretations. Also examines client and counselor variables that alone and in interaction may affect test interpretations. Discusses issues that merit attention by both researchers…

The issue of interpretation of standard test scores of minorities is discussed. The history of the issue is reviewed. The National Academy of Science's decision to reinterpret the scores of minorities is summarized. (YP)

Describes four constructs of patterns of abusive and neglectful parenting and child rearing and the development of the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory. The inventory is discussed in terms of discriminant analysis, diagnostic and discriminatory capabilities of the inventory with adults, and practical applications. (RJC)

Compares student attitudes toward oral or written tests and the relationship of attitude to performance of 170 students enrolled in the advanced reading course of English as a foreign language at Haifa University (Israel). Students preferred written over oral tests. No meaningful relationship was observed between students' attitudes and test…

The measurement of the performance of schools is complicated by the need to adjust for differences in input mixes. Schools may have a differential effect on the performance of different types of pupils. Rather than a single performance indicator, a system of indicators is needed. Characteristics of a good indicator system are identified. (KDP)