Measured high school students' use of Black American English (BAE) via three different data collection techniques: actual conversation, conversation simulations, and self-report questionnaires. Found significant differences in BAE usage according to type of data collection technique used. (PD)

Four methods were used to weight predictors associated with a Resident Assistant job: (1) rank order weights; (2) unit weights; (3) critical incident weights; and (4) regression weights. A cross-validation was also done. Most weighting methods were highly related. No method was superior in terms of protection from validity shrinkage. (GDC)

The Multidimensional-Multiattributional Causality Scale and the Mathematics Attribution Scale were administered to 107 gifted high school students. Both scales' assessments of the attribution of school success and failure to effort and ability were significantly correlated. Limited support for their convergent validity was indicated. (Author/GDC)

WISC-R (Wechsler Intelligence Scale in Children-Revised) Verbal and Performance scores were correlated with WRAT-R Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised scores. The verbal score was found to predict reading, spelling, and arithmetic. The performance score did not add significantly to the predictions. Results were consistent with earlier studies.…

Tests the validity and reliability of a scale (Mental Development Scales: Birth to Three Years) designed to assess developmental levels of children from birth to three years. (HOD)

An important aspect of Ontario's participation in the Second International Study of Mathematics was a comparative analysis of students' mathematics achievement from 1968 to 1982. Achievement levels remained remarkably constant. The problem of declining achievement in the United States was not apparent in this analysis of Ontario students. (LMO)

Job relevance and adverse impact are major validity concerns relative to credentializing examinations. This article recommends that examination blueprints utilize a competency model based on: (1) job functions assigned; (2) level of expertise expected given the content and resources available; and (3) specific context and situation in which the…

This paper presents two related studies describing the development and validation of the Teacher-Child Rating Scale (T-CRS), a brief objective socioemotional measure. Teachers rated K-6th graders on the T-CRS, and ratings were factor analyzed into three six-item problem and three six-item competence scales. (Author/LMO)

The 12 subtests of the Ball Aptitude Battery (BAB) listed in the administration manual were described. The reviewer believes this aptitude battery, designed for use with high school students and adults in job selection and placement, needs major improvements. It is suggested that the BAB be used solely for research purposes. (DWH)

The study explored the relationship of eye-hand coordination differentiated by three levels and two answer marking formats (test booklet and answer sheet). Simple effects tests indicated significant differences in favor of the booklet format for low and middle range eye-hand groups but not for the high group. (DWH)

In a longitudinal investigation, the subscales of the Dimensions of Self-Concept revealed declining predictive validity coefficients relative to criteria of secondary school grades. However, the Level of Aspiration subscale consistently exhibited significant predictive validities of student success during each of four time segments. (Author/DWH)

Black (N=95) and White (N=52) low socioeconomic children assigned to special education classes were initially given the Stanford-Binet and, three years later, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R). Correlations between Stanford-Binet and WISC-R Full Scale IQs were significant in both ethnic groups, with r=.60 for the total…

This article presents a model that can be used by local school districts for reanalyzing standardized test results to obtain a more valid assessment of local learning objectives can be used to identify strengths/weaknesses of existing programs as well as individual students. (EGS)

Describes several elicitation techniques used for speech act data collection and analysis and discusses their suitability in testing a learner's acquisition of the rules of language use. Argues that the development of testing instruments for communicative competence cannot be divorced from the field of cross-cultural pragmatics. (SED)

Reports the development and standardization of the teacher version of the Child Behavior Profile. Analyses showed significant differences on the scales between nonreferred boys and boys referred by teachers due to emotional or behavioral problems, supporting the discriminant validity of the teacher profile. (LLL)