Reviews legal arguments used to challenge traditional testing programs in prior litigation and indicates how these arguments might be applied in a performance-assessment application. Examines discrimination challenges to performance assessments in employment contexts. Suggests ways to deal with the psychometric issues most likely to be encountered…

Seventy-two children (ages 23-148 months) referred to an autism center in the Netherlands were administered the Psychoeducational Profile (PEP) and the Handicaps Behaviour and Skills Schedule (HBS). The correlation between the two instruments was higher than expected, and internal consistency of the subscales of the PEP and the HBS was…

A vision screening program established at a facility for 271 individuals with severe or profound mental retardation used the acuity card procedure as its measure. The procedure was found to be a valid and reliable screening tool for this population. A few residents had good visual acuities, whereas the acuities of others were poor. (JDD)

Development of validated terminal performance objectives for provision of oral health in a pharmacy curriculum is described. Following a systems approach to instructional development, an interdisciplinary committee set instructional goals, then wrote performance objectives of sufficient scope and rigor to be useful for design of didactic courses…

Development and use of the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM) and its instruments in the Netherlands, Flanders (Belgium), and the United Kingdom are reviewed, with emphasis on the validity of the developmental theory behind it. The CBAM appears to make it possible to offer schools assistance in dealing with change. (SLD)

Administrator competency testing is required in 15 states. Competency testing has traditionally been plagued by ambiguous objectives, questionable validity, an adverse effect on minority group members, and high costs. Offers recommendations for policymakers and for preparation programs. (41 references) (MLF)

The Bracken Basic Concept Scale, for use with preschool and primary-aged children, determines a child's school readiness and knowledge of English-language verbal concepts. The instrument measures 258 basic concepts in such categories as comparisons, time, quantity, and letter identification. This paper describes test administration, scoring and…

The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised assesses standard American English receptive vocabulary in individuals, both handicapped and nonhandicapped, ages 2 to 40. This paper describes the test's administration, summation of data, standardization, reliability, and validity. (JDD)

The Revised Behavior Problem Checklist is used to screen for behavior disorders in K-12 students, develop clinical diagnoses, classify juvenile offenders, and evaluate psychological and pharmacological interventions. The checklist addresses conduct disorder, socialized aggression, attention problems-immaturity, and anxiety-withdrawal. This paper…

The Test of Written Language-2, for use with students ages 7-17, identifies low achievement, determines strengths and weaknesses, and documents progress. The test assesses three language components (conventional, linguistic, and conceptual) using two formats (contrived and spontaneous.) This paper describes the test's administration, scoring,…

The Behaviors of Eating and Activity for Children's Health Evaluation System (BEACHES) codes direct observations of children's dietary and physical activity behaviors and associated environmental events, including physical location, antecedents, and consequences. The system's reliability and validity was assessed in a study of 42 children (ages…

Examines and compares the characteristics of four computer attitude scales: (1) Stevens'"Computer Survey"; (2) Reece and Gable's "Attitudes toward Computers"; (3) Gressard and Loyd's "Computer Attitude Scale"; and (4) Griswold's "Computer Use Questionnaire." Attitudes toward computer scales are examined, and…

Administered Counseling Form of Career Maturity Inventory Attitude Scale and measure of appropriateness of career choices to 83 Black and 239 White high school students. White students scored significantly higher than Blacks in Involvement, Independence, and Compromise in Career Decision Making and on Appropriateness of Career Choices. (Author/NB)

Addresses the impact of the ideology of IQ testing on African Americans and Asians. Presents an overview and an analysis of scholarly treatises that illustrate that IQ testing continues to be one mechanism for maintaining racial prejudice and inequality in the United States. (JS)

Two studies probe validation, replication, and normative questions regarding the Systematic Screening for Behavior Disorders (SSBD) procedure. The first included teachers from 15 elementary schools, while the second drew from 2 school districts. Similar results from both studies supported SSBD validity. The second study also supported reliability…