Examined the concurrent validity of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (PPVT-R) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) in a sample of 101 students aged 6 to 16, referred for learning, mental or emotional disabilities. Results showed significant correlations between the PPVT-R and the WISC-R overall sample. (JAC)

The Self Description Questionnaire II (SDQII) results from 901 Australian secondary school students were factor analyzed and the factors correlated to identify the relationship of self-concept factors to age, sex, and academic achievement. Findings supported the multidimensionality of self-concept and support the construct validity of the SDQII.…

Discusses psycholinguistic models of reading comprehension and presents general guidelines for reading comprehension testing in a second language. The guidelines focus on content validity, construct validity, and predictive validity. Suggestious are given for ways teachers can prepare students for tests and avoid problems in each of the three…

The usefulness of four standardized rating scales in assessing student behavior problems is discussed: the Child Behavior Checklist (completed by parents); the Teacher Report Form; the Direct Observation Form; and the Youth Self Report. Four case studies illustrate the use of these checklists in school-based assessment. (Author/GDC)

The revised 20-item Aiken-Dreger Mathematics Attitude Scale was administered to 2538 urban minority students in grades 8 to 10. Results supported the existence of two underlying factors, enjoyment and fear. (GDC)

The development and validation of a measure of classroom psychosocial environment based on student and teacher perceptions of seven environmental dimensions (personalization, involvement, student cohesiveness, satisfaction, task orientation, innovation, and individualization) of seminars and tutorials are described. (MSE)

A comparison of teacher ratings, peer roster ratings, and self-ratings with observational data, involving 22 learning disabled or educable retarded and 16 nonhandicapped high school students, yielded such results as that the peer and teacher ratings effectively measured time-on-task during classroom activities, but did not correlate well with…

This study evaluated the construct validity of the Learning Styles Inventory. Learning styles of participants in a continuing professional education program were associated with both the evaluative statements learners make about the design of the program and their attitudes toward lecture and small group sections of the program. (CT)

Concludes that the Multi-Digit Test stimulates better retention than multiple choice tests while offering the advantage of computerized scoring and analysis. (FL)

Examined the relationship between stages of ethical orientation and moral reasoning for 63 counselors at four levels of training and explores the relationship between ethical orientation and contributions to professional and social action organizations. Findings indicated that ethical orientation is significantly associated with moral reasoning,…

Comprehensive assessment in context focuses on the processes and structures involved in subject matter competence as moderated in performance by personal and environmental influences. This article addresses in detail both the nature of developing competence and its measurement in terms of context-dependent task performance. (Author/EGS)

Investigated clothing deprivation/satisfaction feelings of 301 Afro-, Anglo-, and Mexican-American adolescents and reported the development of a clothing satisfaction instrument. Clothing satisfaction was associated with social security and number of dresses for Anglo-Americans, with socioeconomic status and number of shoes for Mexican-Americans.…

Reports on the development and validation of an inventory designed to identify the needs of science teachers in developing nations, particularly the Arab countries. The instrument, Science Teacher Inventory of Need, consists of 83 items arranged under seven categories. (JN)

Reports on a study providing evidence that prior knowledge influences the comprehension of texts and that the effect is not because of contrived materials or other validity problems. (FL)

Teachers who took a training course in classroom behavior were observed by external raters as more emotional, warm, and appreciative than those who were not trained. (Author/DEP)