The attorney for the plaintiffs in Debra P. v. Turlington discusses the harmful effects and the arbitrary and unfair nature of minimum competency testing. (Author/WD)

In studying the effectiveness of different instructional programs, a criterion measure can favor one of the programs because there is greater overlap between the content covered on the test and in that program. This overlap can be measured using teacher estimates or teacher estimates combined with curriculum analysis. (Author/BW)

Constructed broad-band factor scales from a factor analysis of the items that comprise the 12 consecutive Personality Inventory for Children clinical-profile scales. The six-factor solution provided sufficiently robust item clusters to develop scales reflecting Undisciplined/Poor Self-Control, Social Incompetence, Internalization/Somatic Symptoms,…

A multitrait-multimethod matrix containing two methods of measuring 12 personality traits was analyzed and confirmatory factor analysis was applied to the data. Although unexplained variance remained, method factors and a general personality factor significantly improved the fit of a model containing only trait factors. (Author/RL)

A comparison was made between the Slosson Intelligence Test and the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities for 44 minority preschoolers. The mean Slosson score was 13.8 points higher than the mean McCarthy score. The correlation between the scores was .81. Effects of inflated Slosson scores for screening purposes are considered. (Author/RD)

The effectiveness of a Likert-scale and three paired-choice presentation formats in discriminating among parents' preferences for curriculum elements were compared. Paired-choice formats gave more reliable discriminations which increased with stimulus specificity. Similarities and differences in preference orderings are discussed. (Author/CM)

Starting from the premise that the assessment of second language learners' competence is a must at several points during the learning process, discusses the usefulness of laboratory testing. Argues that it allows for standardized testing, facility of test administration, easy scoring, objective measures, reliability and validity of results. (MES)

Presented is evidence bearing on the construct validity of the Estimate of Self-Competence (ESC) Scale, which was designed to measure generalized expectancy of task success. The results of correlational analyses of relationships between the ESC, expectancies of successful performance, and other measures are reported. (Author/AL)

Used aggregate ratings of teacher behavior as data for a multitrait-multimethod validity analysis. Scaled ratings using Rasch latent trait scaling model and traditional scaling techniques. Compared Rasch-scaled multitrait-multimethod matrix to the traditionally scaled multitrait-multimethod matrix. Results showed Rasch scaling resulted in higher…

First grade students were administered a screening battery that included the Otis-Lennon Mental Ability Test, the Metropolitan Readiness Test, the Bender Gestalt Test, and the Visual Memory Technique. Stepwise regression equations revealed that the Bender Gestalt Test significantly increased the predictive power of the test battery. (FL)

Discusses two important theoretical notions about work training and adjustment: (1) a theory of career development by Crites and Super and (2) Rotter's social learning theory, as it relates to locus of control. The focus of the discussion is on recent research demonstrating the relationship between the two variables. (Author)

This study indicates that the Modified Questionnaire on the Occupational Status of Women may be reliably and validly used to measure counselors' and counselor educators' attitudes with respect to the occupational status of women. Construct validity of the questionnaire should be reevaluated when suitable data become available. (Author/AL)

A method for incorporating decline over time of the predictive validity of scores into mental test theory is presented. The procedure utilizes concepts from multiple regression and analysis of repeated measures. (JKS)

Discusses an instrument developed to assess the counseling needs of older persons. The Older Persons Counseling Needs Survey was administered to (N=107) older persons. Results of a statistical analysis indicated that older persons have a variety of counseling needs that are all approximately at the same need level. (RC)

Examines attempts to employ personality inventories in the identification of college students for leadership positions which have traditionally been unsuccessful. In this study, the Leadership Opinion Questionnaire was administered to college leaders and nonleaders. Results suggest its potential usefulness in the selection and training of students…