A national survey assessing the degree and kind of family intervention services received was completed by 503 mothers with handicapped children in early intervention programs. Factor analysis was performed and items used to construct the Family-Focused Intervention Scale with 5 reliable subscales. Comparisons among groups of mothers supported…

This study is the National Board of Medical Examiners exploration of content-based techniques (standard-setting techniques in which pass/fail decisions are based upon the performance of examinees in relation to test content). Two content-based techniques (Angoff and Ebel) and three methods of evaluating examinee performance were studied. (MLW)

This paper discusses the practice of social validity assessment in applied behavior analysis, proposes elements that should be included in state-of-the art assessment procedures, offers a taxonomy of consumers to guide the construction and circulation of assessments, and suggests strategies to improve social validity assessment. (JDD)

Describes a study of seventh graders in Australia that was conducted to investigate the extent to which interactive video-based teacher ratings of social skill represented a valid measure of the actual classroom behavior of students. Correlations between the teachers' ratings and observed behavior are discussed and further research is suggested.…

A meta-analysis of studies examining the interrater reliability of the standard practice of peer assessments of quality of care was conducted through the use of several databases. The mean weighted kappa of 21 findings from 13 studies was 0.31, which suggests that the interrater reliability of peer assessment is limited. (SLD)

Results of a study of 88 Louisiana teachers support the construct validity of the System for Teaching and Learning Assessment and Review (STAR), a comprehensive classroom-based system for assessing teaching and learning but suggest that the use of teacher nominations of colleagues for designation as superior teachers is questionable. (SLD)

Describes a new measure of parent-tutoring support for elementary-age transfer students. The Parent-Tutor Assessment Scale measures parents' tutoring behaviors, their competency and motivation to tutor, and parent-child communication. An assessment of 139 elementary school students and their caregivers is provided that reveals differences between…

The cognitive structure of an algebra test was defined and validated using the linear logistic test model (LLTM) and quadratic assignment (QA). A 29-item test was administered to 235 ninth graders. Results suggest the benefits of applying both LLTM and QA to test construction and analysis. (SLD)

Describes the design and evaluation of a formal writing assessment program within a technical writing course. Attempts to evaluate student writing at the conclusion of such a course. Addresses fundamental issues of sound assessment, including reliability and validity. Presents assessment guidelines for technical writing teachers. (HB)

An approach for involving beneficiaries in specifying program attributes for evaluators to address is discussed. Methods are outlined for sharing influence among program decision makers and beneficiaries. Application of this approach in the evaluation of a problem-based medical school curriculum is described, with evidence on the enhancement of…

Whether external validity of intelligence quotient (IQ) scores from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--Revised is moderated by reading ability was studied with 382 Canadian elementary school students. Little evidence was found that IQ scores had less concurrent validity for poor readers. Implications for remedial services provision are…

College grade point averages after 4 semesters and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores were compared for 200 Hispanic (predominantly Cuban American) and 892 non-Hispanic White students at the University of Miami. Mean SATs were significantly lower for Hispanic students (about 45 points on average, both verbal and math), despite equivalent…

This response to EC 607 382 raises concerns about the standards developed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. These include (1) the modest references to student diversity, (2) instructional methodology, and (3) the need for more research to validate the standards' curricular and instructional recommendations. (DB)

Discusses major advances and issues in social-skills research with adolescents, including efforts to facilitate treatment adherence, social validity, and generalization of interventions. Directions for further improvement of social-skills intervention technology are also discussed. (Author/CR)

DWI offenders (N=123) referred to treatment who remained drug and alcohol free for six months posttreatment are well distinguished from those returned to court by the Anxiety, Depression, and Sensation Seeking, scales and the composite Dysphoria scale of the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised administered at intake. Predictive validity…