Study tested the validity of a high inference principal-administered rating scale, the North Carolina Teacher Performance Appraisal Instrument. Researchers examined the relationship of its ratings to student achievement, nonachievement student variables, and teacher variables. Results indicate principals can become valid raters of teacher…

Administered Continuous Performance Test (CPT), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised, Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised, Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test, and reading comprehension subtest of Peabody Individual Achievement Test to 54 school-aged children and adolescents referred for evaluation of learning disabilities. Parents…

The development and initial validation of the Racquet Sports Competence-Satisfaction Scale for measuring perceived competence and satisfaction in badminton, racquetball, and tennis is described. Results of a review panel and two field tests (with 168 and 208 university students) support the validity of the competence and satisfaction measures.…

Compared five indices of differentiation for Holland's model for two data sets: Iachan's indices and Spokane and Walsh index. Tested differentiation and career decision relationship of Pakistani college students (N=376) and Canadian high school seniors (N=138). Found neither index superior in terms of criterion of relationship with career…

Describes a case study methodology that combines a three-year longitudinal study with nine retrospective studies about the same phenomenon. Explains how specific strengths in each method compensate for some particular weakness in the other. Suggests circumstances for which dual methodology is especially appropriate. (35 references) (MLF)

Learning styles advocates claim long-term improvements in four aspects of teaching and learning: curriculum design, instructional methods, assessment, and student guidance. The application of learning style theory encompasses three pervasive problems: confusion in definitions, weakness in measurement reliability and validity, and identification of…

Traces the formulation and norming of a questionnaire constructed for the self-reporting of English-as-a-Second-Language students on their preferred perceptual learning styles, focusing on the problem of reliability and validity in survey design. (CB)

A study assessed the feasibility of sequential testing of medical students using standardized patients. Sequential testing passes students who score well on the first segment of the test thus eliminating additional student-standardized patient encounters. Subjects were six classes of Southern Illinois University students (n=404). Results strongly…

Discussion of study factors and study skills focuses on the development of a study skills survey and four related research studies at Navy training schools, two that addressed reliability and two that were concerned with validity. Results are reported that indicate study factors correlated significantly with test performance. (28 references) (LRW)

Authentic and direct assessment of performance and products are examined in light of contrasting functions and purposes with implications for validation, especially those of specialized validity criteria for performance assessment. The roles of positive and negative consequences of validation are underscored, along with the need for evidence of…

Examines the psychometric properties of the Early Screening Inventory (ESI), a developmental screening instrument designed to identify four- to six-year-olds at high risk for school failure. The ESI was found to be highly reliable and predictive, and it may be possible to increase its accuracy by combining it with the related Parent Questionnaire.…

A test that assessed student developmental stage in spelling 12 Spanish words was administered along with measures of reading/language skills to 80 children in grades K-2 in a transitional bilingual program. The developmental spelling test was easy to administer and high in internal consistency and interrater reliability. As in English versions,…

Tested hypothesis that use of different languages in telephone survey could adversely affect cross-cultural comparability of standardized research measures. Of 2,299 persons surveyed in 1988 National Survey of Hispanic Elderly People, 86.6% were interviewed in Spanish and 13.4% were interviewed in English. Factor structure associated with positive…

A test of the Career Transitions Inventory with 300 adults in transition established its internal consistency and reliability. Five factors representing psychological resources available during transition were identified: readiness, confidence, perceived support, control, and decision-making independence. (SK)

Describes an instrument that uses questionnaires and interviews to measure adolescents' potential for suicide. Describes the measure's use with a group of students involved in a school-based drop-out- and drug-abuse prevention program. Youth showed significant decreases in suicide risk behaviors, depression, hopelessness, stress, and anger in…