The development and psychometric assessment of a Risk of Hospitalization Scale are described. The scale, designed to help case managers for the seriously mentally ill meet clients' needs, demonstrates satisfactory reliability and validity for 18 vignettes and 60 actual cases. The scale has been adopted for use in New Jersey. (SLD)

This study analyzed the relative efficacy of normative (population relative) and ipsative (person relative) measures for the study of intraindividual and interindividual differences in child ability. Ipsative ability measures were found to be uniformly inferior to their normative counterparts and conveyed no uniquely useful information. (Author/DB)

The development of a short form of the Raven Advanced Progressive Matrices Test is reported. Results from 3 studies with 663 college students indicate that the short form demonstrates psychometric properties similar to the long form yet requires a substantially shorter administration time. (SLD)

The psychometric characteristics of 12 adults with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and a group without PWS but with other similar traits were compared. Results found cognitive, behavioral and educational traits often associated with PWS to be present in both groups, illustrating the importance of control/comparison groups in research establishing…

In their reply to the present author's critique (1991), J. H. Kranzler and A. R. Jensen have still not demonstrated that a factor of general intelligence, "g," depends on, or contains, several independent factors. They have only demonstrated that an estimate of "g" is predictable from several independent components. (SLD)

This paper describes two measurement integrity analyses conducted using data on the Battelle Developmental Inventory, obtained from a sample of 78 children with severe disabilities. Procedures used to conduct internal reliability and construct validity analyses are discussed. Researchers are urged to evaluate a test's construct validity when their…

A method is proposed to combine a relative approach and an absolute approach to performance appraisal by combining graphic rating and ranking. Two studies involving 196 college undergraduates who rated their instructors illustrate the promise offered by the proposed Qualitative Ranking Scale. (SLD)

Examines the psychometric properties of the Early Screening Inventory (ESI), a developmental screening instrument designed to identify four- to six-year-olds at high risk for school failure. The ESI was found to be highly reliable and predictive, and it may be possible to increase its accuracy by combining it with the related Parent Questionnaire.…

A conceptual framework is provided for thinking about measurement invariance (or bias), and conditions are demonstrated under which invariance can occur. Tools are suggested for addressing such issues as fairness in employment testing, salary equity, and cross-sectional developmental change. Strict factorial invariance is required for…

Study used 103 bilingual college freshmen to evaluate psychometric characteristics of the Personality Inventory for Youth (PIY) translated into Spanish. Scales and subscales of the Spanish PIY demonstrated internal consistency and temporal stability comparable to English counterparts, and multivariate analysis did not identify a language effect…

Examined psychometric properties of self-perception scales of the Berkeley Puppet Interview (BPI) with children at preschool, kindergarten, and first grade. Found that young children have a multidimensional self-concept that can be reliably measured. The BPI was sensitive to normative change and individual differences. Support for validity was…

A study examined the reliability and validity of the Quality of Life Instrument Package using data from 500 persons with developmental disabilities in Ontario. Data indicate that most of the instruments found in the package met acceptable psychometric standards. Appropriate uses for the full and short version are discussed. (Author/CR)

Relations among instruments used in community mental-health services for people with developmental disabilities were explored with 284 individuals. Correlation coefficients were evaluated for statistical significance and effect size for subtests of the Reiss Screen for Maladaptive Behavior, the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, and the Adaptive…

This study assessed the psychometric properties of two subscales of the Adelaide Behaviour Disorder Scale that have been hypothesized to describe conduct problems and emotional problems of adults with intellectual disability. Criterion scores for identifying individuals needing clinical intervention were established and validated against…

Provides a rationale for advocating the development of culturally responsive performance-based assessments as a means of achieving equity for students of color. Notes arguments for and against these assessments and explores psychometric concerns. Recommends the modification of existing test-development procedures to incorporate the participation…